Sharing a Brew with a Fallen Buddy

[Richard S]

"Here's to you, Buddy."  HOOAH!:

[Reinz]

That's what I call loyality. And a true pal. 

Others may call it insanity.

[Richard S]

That's what I call loyality. And a true pal. 

Others may call it insanity.

Reinz:

I also call it an image of "loyalty" and an example of "a true pal."

Anyone who might call it insanity, in my not-so-humble opinion, probably has no understanding of what "loyalty" really means, probably never had a true pal, and probably would be the first to try to save his own sorry, cowardly ass rather than place himself at risk to protect his buddies when TSHTF.

I note that when the image on the tombstone is magnified, the words "Bronze Star," "Purple Heart," and "Iraqi Freedom" can be seen. The dates on the stone reveal that the fallen hero was 28 years old at the time of his death.

[Reinz]

Reinz:

Anyone who might call it insanity, in my not-so-humble opinion, probably has no understanding of what "loyalty" really means, probably never had a true pal, and probably would be the first to try to save his own sorry, cowardly ass rather than place himself at risk to protect his buddies when TSHTF.

Amen Brother!

[Reinz]

Reinz:

I note that when the image on the tombstone is magnified, the words "Bronze Star," "Purple Heart," and "Iraqi Freedom" can be seen. The dates on the stone reveal that the fallen hero was 28 years old at the time of his death.

That does not surprise at all.

[wildmanwill]

Per the Gravestone Image on the Arlington National Cemetery website

Army Captain Ian P. Weikel
October 7, 1974
April 18, 2006

He was 31 years old at the time of his death.  He was assigned to the 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Captain Weikel died April 18 in Balad, Iraq (42 miles North of Bagdad), from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat operations in Baghdad.

I also have reason to believe that the "buddy" from this web image that has been circulating is his brother.  This photo was captured as part of a news story about Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery by the LA Times.

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/nov/11/nation/la-na-arlington-war-widows-20101111

"It's a perfect autumn Sunday and Chad Weikel is sitting outdoors, having a beer with his big brother, Ian. Chad's beer is resting in the cup holder of his folding chair. Ian's is propped up against his headstone.

Army Capt. Ian Weikel, 31, was killed in action in Iraq on April 18, 2006, so this is how they visit now.

....It's getting cold. Chad Weikel, 33, and his girlfriend, Kate Thompson, 31, finish their beers. He lives nearby and figures he's done this at least 75 times since his brother died. He doesn't feel like talking much. "When I first came here, it was really hard. But it's a community and a family. Days like Memorial Day, there are 200 people having picnics. And then there are days like today, quiet and beautiful."

They carry their chairs to the black Chevy truck that used to belong to Ian. An unopened bottle of Texas-brewed Shiner Bock stays behind, a nod to his unit at Ft. Hood."




This is a photo of the brothers together in happier times...



RIP Captain Weikel

[Richard S]

Will:

Thank you for clarifying the dates, the digital images of which lost clarity on enlargement, and for providing "the rest of the story."

So they were brothers. That makes the photograph all the more poignant.

[Reinz]

Thanks Will!