in 2003, shortly after the invasion of Iraq, I was privileged to be part of a mission to recover the remains of a fellow Marine who was lost in action. This has been a mission that, more than any other, has shaped my life when I consider my time in the Marines.

I first wrote about it in 2007 and you can read all about the mission HERE as I detailed the events of the day along with some photos that were taken that day on a small disposable Kodak camera.

To be honest, after I wrote that I sort of put my time in the Marines in a box, figuratively and literally. I set it aside, attempting to compartmentalize it and move on with my life. However, there was always this nagging feeling that I longed to see where this Marine was rightly laid to rest. I had hoped that he was laid in a place of peace and place of honor.

In the Spring of 2023, 20 years after this mission, a number of my fellow Marines that were there that day in 2003 were given the honor to meet up with some of the Marines from the unit that was in the ambush in which he was lost and together visit his resting place in Arizona. What an Honor it was to be there that day!

Since that day we have seen this story take root in a number of different places and as I am able to gather the details and links I will gather them for you on this post – as of now here are a few things that are in process:

Documentary – Veterans Promise, a non-profit that is really making a difference in veteran suicide prevention and partnered with me to help cover the cost of making this documentary to share and help veterans find the healing they need. As a military community we go through great lengths to not leave a man behind, as illustrated in this story, and they wanted to capture it and share it to help others know they are not alone.

Podcast – I was give the additional privilege to sit down with Dave Ragan, the Executive Director of Veterans Promise and dig into the mission as well as discuss things like PTSD and a number of other topics on a long form podcast they do called Promise Keepers. You can listen to it HERE.

Painting – I was given the immense honor to travel to Washington DC this Spring and meet Kris Battles. He is a combat artist for the Marine Corps and is a part of an incredible team at the National Marine Corps Museum just outside of the base at Quantico, VA. He has chosen a picture from the day of this mission to paint for the Iraq exhibit at the museum with hopes to expand to a bronze sculpture as well. I do not have a timeline on the one but I will for sure let you know when it is completed.

I look forward to filling this all out as these things come to fruition in the coming months. Enjoy and God Bless!