I wore the Cross of Christ every mission and still wear it today. I was told that if shot down, it would go badly for me if the bad guys found it. Not to be dramatic but we were told that if shot down, fight like hell but if capture was imminent, use the last round on yourself. I think God would forgive. The guys who really deserve your thanks were on the ground with their M-16’s getting shot at around every corner. I had an M-60 machine gun with which to defend myself and the crew in the Blackhawk. Thanks, OIF vet
There is some Kipling that applies there.
“When you’re wounded and left on Afghanistan’s plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An’ go to your Gawd like a soldier.”
http://wonderingminstrels.blogspot.com/2003/01/young-british-soldier-rudyard-kipling.html
God bless all y’all. I’m ready for everyone to come home, and apply W88s if we have any problems from that neck of the woods and be done with it.