The War

The LA Times has a project where they are trying to keep a collection of obituaries for all of California's war dead. One young man to pass away was Marc A Retmier, a Navy corpman (medic) who had often volunteered to work at the front lines in Afghanistan.

One comment on his obit was this one.

Marc-
I'll always remember Mamadi when I first got to know you. You were funny and a great person to hang out with. I'm sorry I didn't come on that mission, if I could trade places with you, I would no questions. Know that we looked after you from the scene of the attack until when you left Afghanistan. We had a ceremony for you when he left our FOB. I'll miss you man, trying to steal all the good MRE's and talking about how high the mountains are. I'm sorry I couldn't be there to save you. -Sam
— SGT Samuel Sohm, posted June 21, 2008

So noble. So sad.