We lost a good man yesterday. May Corporal Glenn Watkins rest in peace. Please pray for his family. He was a good soldier, and the first from my Battalion to be killied in action. This was his second tour of duty in Iraq. In fact, he had left our battalion to volunteer to go over with another unit, then volunteered to stay when he found out that we were coming. He was killed when his guntruck rolled past a static VBIED (car bomb). The other four soldiers in the vehicle were wounded. I do not blame his death on Donald Rumsfeld or the amount of armor plating that his guntruck had. I blame the cowards that planted the bomb. The amount of explosives that was used was sufficient to kill him regardless of the level of armor. One of the men that was wounded was a medic. Somehow, with two broken ankles from the force of the blast, he crawled to CPL Watkins at was trying to bring him back with CPR while badly wounded himself. I always knew Doc K. was good people. We are now preparing for his memorial and trying to find the cowards that did this. As the head of intelligence for the Battalion, I feel like I have failed them. I will not fail to find the perpetrators this time. So my attention remains on the job. I have no time for bickering right now about what the right course of action was 2 years ago. CPL Watkins knew why we were here, well enough to stay on for another year. The right course of action now is payback.
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« Necessary | Main | Duty, Vengeance, Justice »
April 07, 2005
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» From the Front from Mudville Gazette
Major K with a grim reminder that the war goes on.... [Read More]
» Another Hero Falls from Euphoric Reality
A car bomb killed Corporal Glenn Watkins yesterday in Iraq. He was one of Major K's guys, and the Major had some things to say.
Something that jumped out at me:
One of the men that was wounded was a medic. Somehow, with two broken ankles from t... [Read More]
» Iraq Report 11 Apr/05 from Winds of Change.NET
APR 11/05 TOPICS INCL: Two ranking members of Iraq's new government are sworn in; insurgent financier arrested; al-Sadr sparks anti-American demonstrations again; an insurgent kidnapping; the fate of America's sole missing soldier; the war's first Meda... [Read More]
» From the Front from Mudville Gazette
Thunder6:I was one of the first troops in my unit to arrive here in Iraq. The unit that we were replacing had spent a year in Southern Baghdad, and by time we arrived they were utterly spent. During those early... [Read More]
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THE POST EXCHANGE: I've asked my fellow MilBloggers to submit "notable posts" they've written in the recent past for inclusion here, with a quick summary in their own words. I've taken the liberty of linking to some of their stuff... [Read More]
»
THE POST EXCHANGE: I've asked my fellow MilBloggers to submit "notable posts" they've written in the recent past for inclusion here, with a quick summary in their own words. I've taken the liberty of linking to some of their stuff... [Read More]
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Right on, Greg. TCB.
Love ya.
Posted by: paully | April 07, 2005 at 01:53 AM
I'm so sorry for your loss & will pray for you there & his family.
Posted by: Susie | April 07, 2005 at 02:38 AM
I was deeply saddened when I read the article on CNN Tuesday morning. The information placed this one too close to your group. Saddened even more when a friend confirmed that it was one of your Guys. A Cowardice act by Cowardice people. Our thoughts and Prayers continue for him, his family and those who were injured with him. I'm also adding a Prayer that you and your Guys will be able to find and stop the cowards who created and set off this bomb.
Posted by: Chris | April 07, 2005 at 03:57 AM
Sorry to hear about the loss.
Find the bastards.
Kris
Posted by: Kris Alexander | April 07, 2005 at 04:03 AM
you have failed no-one.... focus on your task at hand and know that justice will be served.... hang tough man.....
Posted by: Kelley | April 07, 2005 at 05:04 AM
Major-
Go get them for us. Get the ones who got your man, and countless others. Go get one for Sgt. Matt Maupin too. At least Glen's family will get his body back for a proper burial- Matt is still missing. Simply vanished.
Yeah....get one for Matt and one for Glen. Heroes. All of you. Both the living and the dead.... Rest in Peace
Posted by: AFSister | April 07, 2005 at 05:51 AM
Major K, yer doin' just fine. I know you feel bad about this, but know that we love
you and all the soldiers on the mission. I'll getcha a cold one when it's all done.
Posted by: Muttley | April 07, 2005 at 07:14 AM
Major K! Each time we lose one of our fine troopers, I feel a little stab in the heart. Freedom is not free and this curent generation is paying the price. My wife and I pray for all of you who are putting your lives on the line for our freedom. I wish you good hunting in bringing these murdering thugs to their meeting with their 72 virgins.
Boe
age 75
Korean War Vet (USAF)
Posted by: Boe Simpson | April 07, 2005 at 09:03 AM
My heart is with you and your men during this difficult time. You are the recipient of my hugs, humble gratitude, and prayers on your behalf. I strive to honor CPL Watkins and all who serve so selflessly, by daily living a life worthy of their scrifices. As a Navy friend says, "May we be worthy of the trust they have placed in us."
Posted by: Beth | April 07, 2005 at 09:29 AM
God rest his soul and bless his family. God bless you and all the other soldiers too.
Posted by: Chevy Rose | April 07, 2005 at 09:36 AM
Major- I am so sorry to hear of your loss, I will be praying for Cpl. Watkins and his family in this hard time. I also pray for you and your men everyday, i pray for all of our men and women overseas. In this hard time, just remember that you are heros! Stay strong! Stay Tough! Complete the mission!
Find the bastards and kill them. Slowly. Painfully. Make sure they know they are dying for killing a hero.
God Bless you and Yours!
Give yourselves a HUGE pat on the back! WE are rooting for you!
If you ever in Florida I got the beer!
Posted by: Mary-Lou | April 07, 2005 at 06:19 PM
I'm praying for Corporal Watkins, and for you Major K. May you find the bastards.
Posted by: Carin | April 07, 2005 at 07:21 PM
Sir,
I hope you know and will remind your soldiers how extremely proud we are of all of you and how each loss saddens us as though we had lost a family member ourselves. Freedom is, indeed, not free and you and your soldiers are paying now so that we can conitnue to sleep peacefully at night and be secure in our homes. You have let no one down, sir, you are a human being doing the best you can in an incredibly difficult position. God bless you all.
Posted by: Sharon | April 07, 2005 at 07:41 PM
If for no other reason, do what you do for your fellow soldiers. Sure- Lately, there's been some sour grapes from the sidelines, but it's easy to sniffle from the cheap seats- Disagreement is inevitable. There are times when a soldier needs to do his duty for no ther reason that that of the common bond with his or her fellow soldiers. Find them, fight them and finish them.
Posted by: Rob | April 07, 2005 at 08:05 PM
If for no other reason, do what you do for your fellow soldiers. Sure- Lately, there's been some sour grapes from the sidelines, but it's easy to sniffle from the cheap seats- Disagreement is inevitable. There are times when a soldier needs to do his duty for no ther reason that that of the common bond with his or her fellow soldiers. Find them, fight them and finish them.
Posted by: Rob | April 07, 2005 at 08:36 PM
Major K,
Get 'em. Get it done.
God bless CPL Watkins. Obviously a man dedicated to his mission and Victory. You win that Victory. He'll understand.
Press on.
Subsunk
Posted by: Subsunk | April 07, 2005 at 09:40 PM
Major K,
I remember a misty morning on Hogback Hill during Armor Advanced Course. Old [way younger than I am now!] Major Weaver started the scenario with an icy dose of reality: "You had a brilliant plan yesterday and the Reds screwed up bigtime. So only 6 of your people are dead. Nobody has slept in 2 days and the 2nd echelon is upon us . . . let's hear your new brilliant plan, Captain!"
The aged Viet Nam vet also told us this: "The Enemy is responsible for your trooper's deaths - not you.
You ARE responsible for the payback: Victory!"
Hang in there.
OldFan
[In the JOC back here at 1st Army, now a semi-soldier in civilain clothes]
Posted by: OldFan | April 07, 2005 at 09:47 PM
Sorry for your loss. Remember now, when you find the terrorists that did this not to hurt them and to make sure they're comfortable. Feed them some bacon and pork rinds before you put them to bed forever!! Wink Wink.
Posted by: Mark | April 07, 2005 at 10:14 PM
May God have mercy on Cpl. Watkins brave soul, and may He give you and your brothers all the graces you need to finish the job - duty, vengeance, justice - whatever you call it is fine with me.
Posted by: sirboggle | April 08, 2005 at 12:21 AM
Major K
This just never gets any easier. After 3 years, it still is difficult to swallow. You know behind the death of this soldier stands a family, teammates and friends who are all hurting. My regrets to you and all.
Posted by: toni | April 08, 2005 at 12:51 AM
Major K - Very sorry to hear about the loss of CPL Watkins. His family will be in my prayers. Each of you, serving so bravely, are never far from my thoughts. I hope you can find the terrorist thugs responsible for this and that justice is administered swiftly and very appropriately.
All the Best,
Andi
Posted by: Andi | April 08, 2005 at 02:14 AM
Sir,
The first one is always the shocker. It dispels our illusion of invulnerability (at least that's how I felt when we had our first KIA, who incidently was our SPO). The next ones are never any easier, but I think they are less of a shock because we accept the fact that there will be a next one.
CPL Watkins sounded like one hell of a soldier. His loss definately diminishes us. Keep your head up and drive on with the mission (and get payback if the opportunity presents itself). That's the best way to honor CPL Watkins
Posted by: armynurseboy | April 08, 2005 at 02:15 AM
A sad day.
Prayers coming for all.
Stay safe.
Posted by: HomefrontSix | April 08, 2005 at 05:31 AM
Major K,
Keep up the good fight. You and your troopers are in my prayers.
Posted by: jack | April 08, 2005 at 06:14 AM
Major,
Thank you to you and your men, and we pray for your safe return. Our prayers also go out to Corporal Watkins, his family, and to those injured in the cowardly attack.
Stay safe, and kick ass
Posted by: Arthur | April 08, 2005 at 06:16 AM