Salute!
Command decision should have been to make him come in. Welfare of the soldier trumps ego.
I grew up next to Ft Hood. Pretty rough territory with lots of hills, gullies, small streams. Rocky terrain but, with lots of trees.
Very hot and humid this time of year, making it very possible he was dehydrated to the point he did something unwise. Without proper conditioning and lots of water, he wouldn’t last long.
Did anyone catch where he was from?
This is so sad.
The heat and humidity here in Central Texas made me fear he could not survive..Rest in Peace Sgt. Lawrence G. Sprader
May God comfort his family.
Sorry about the double post - need more coffee
To all those here who are faulting the Army, the guys in charge of this training and the dead man himself without any knowledge of the circumstances, lighten up. For all we know this soldier could have had a heart attack, it happens to college atheletes every season and they are in better condition than anyone.
I wonder why he was out in the wilds operating alone. I can’t recall that ever being the case in any training in my time, but that was a while ago. Of course some stuff was individual, like the OC.
THE FINAL INSPECTION
The soldier stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
“Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?”
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
“No, Lord, I guess I ain’t.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I’ve been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn’t mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,
It needn’t be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.”
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
“Step forward now, you soldier,
You’ve borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in Hell.”
Author unknown.