Our guard family has suffered a great loss. May their sacrifice for our country serve as a permanent reminder of the costs that this great nation has endured in the name of freedom. Just because I'm in Michigan doesn't mean this won't affect my unit, because when you're in the Guard, your family includes every unit in every state. God needed pilots and other workers and he chose these select people to come to heaven and perform these duties for him - as their talents really impressed him. I know its hard to lose a loved one and its not fair to lose a Dad or a husband or son - whatever the case may be.
Families grieve, the country grieves and the extended military family grieves.
We are proud of their willingness and sad at the price. We must always remember those that have gone before, those that supported them and what they contributed to making our country great. I had the extreme privilege to attend the Robins AFB Tribute to Service at the Base Chapel for the 21 Army and National Guardsmen. Robins AFB and the residents of Unadilla were deeply touched. They now Ride with Charging Charlie.