Today's Ceremony was brutal, and wonderful, and something I wish each and every American could have attended. My words are not going to give this event justice.
I have been a huge fan of the IGTNT diaries, and those dedicated Cossacks that work so hard, and so admirably, so that every American loss is commemorated here. This diary is for them, and while I was there, I'd like to disassociate my name from this--it was so not about me.
I'd like to give a taste of what it was like, although I have no pictures, no video, and only my memory. I was proud to be there.
First, I want to link this to the two IGTNT diaries on this tragedy (someone more technical than me will need to do it, though). Links to Part 1 and Part 2. IGTNT represents the best of this community, and will describe each guy in some detail, and let you imagine the loss, both to their families and to our country. As most know, this year the SEAL community in general, and Naval Special Warfare Development Group in particular, experienced the highest high and the lowest low in our history. The mission to kill/capture Osama bin Ladin was our proudest moment, and the helicopter crash was the largest single-day loss of life in our history.
For those just curious about how the President was treated--I'll get that out of the way now. Many know President Obama went to Dover to show his respect to the service members who died in the helicopter crash. What most don't realize is the enormous respect he earned by standing in formation with the military for three and a half hours while the flag-draped caskets were individually removed from the plane and rendered honors. He was there the entire time, and it clearly made a huge impression on the SEALs there, to include Pete, the NSWDG Commander. He referenced it during his speech, and showed several pictures of President Obama, SecDef at his side, saluting the fallen. I was proud of our President.
The atmosphere? Difficult to describe. First, security was extremely high, and this ceremony was for the SEAL community and our family and friends. The Virginia Beach Police Department did a great job of providing security and making sure only the invited were there. And inside the convention center, at least until the families entered, it was an odd combination of joyous reunion and somber remembrance. Remember, we travel all the time, deployments are constant, some guys have retired or transferred to the west coast, so actually being in one place at the same time is reason for celebration, no matter the occasion. Bear hugs, hand shakes, smiles, quick recaps of these past few years, or decades. Guys I know from Panama, Somalia, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan. Quick stories about the dead--most of the DevGru guys have been around a long time--no new guys, no guys with bad reps, nothing but the cream of the crop. Contempt for Death.
The VIPs enter the center. Lots of senior military commanders from all the services, the SecNav, VA Gov., guys who've earned it like Bob Kerrey.
Then, the most chilling, heart-breaking sound in the world--bagpipes piping in the families. The Boston Police Gaelic Column. 20 strong, in full kilt. Thank you Boston--your guys were wonderful. This is where the tears start. Parents, wives, children. Like the pages of a high-end catalog full of beautiful models come to life, but each person grieving, and hiding it. Children. Wonderful children taking their seats, the bagpipes solemn, silent crying in the stands, pictures of SEALs and their kids cycling over the two big screens. Brutal. Wonderful. Heartbreaking. Love of Family.
All stand. A beautiful rendering of the National Anthem. Invocation from the senior Navy Chaplain. Take seats.
I'm not going to detail what was said. Welcoming remarks from the Commander, NSWC, RADM Sean Pybus. Words of respect from the JSOC Commander. Words of love, love of country from ADM Bill McCraven, a former DevGru CDR. He oversaw the UBL mission as JSOC CDR, now he runs our entire community as CDR SOCOM. Inspiring words, but you can see right through them to the hurt he is feeling. These are his guys, his friends. It's personal.
Now CAPT Pete. These are his men. DG is his command, the pinnacle of his career. The pictures on the big screens are synched to his words, and he touches every heart. He makes us laugh. He imagines the last moments--knowing the bird is going to crash, hands on guns, bracing for impact and minds racing with contingency plans, who's going out what door, who will set the perimeter, what the threats might be once the dust clears. Bracing for impact, exchanging smiles, with their best friends in the world doing the only job in the world they want to do. But nobody survives the crash. Nobody survives the crash.
Pete brings us back with the imagined dialogue at the Pearly Gates: "Where the F... are we?" "What the F... happened? And who the F... is in charge around here?"
Thank you Pete. We needed to laugh. Thank you.
The rest is a blur. Another prayer. The Naval Hymn sung. And then the Boston Police Bagpipes, leading the families out of the convention center, to the rest of their lives and the reality of their losses. Their sons, their husbands, their fathers are my heroes, my colleagues, my friends.
Thank you for reading. This isn't about the war, or politics, or an election. Our country has chosen to send our young men to war, and these men answered the call. That's all they ever really wanted anyone to know. "Send Me."