Nine months ago at about the moment of this posting, the world lost one of the bravest, most selfless young men I have ever have the opportunity to meet. Zachary Salmon joined the U.S. Army as a Cav Scout to provide a better life for his two year old son by taking advantage of the education benefits he would receive. He knew that he would almost immediately be sent to Afghanistan upon graduation from basic training. His enlistment began in April, 2010 and by September, 2010, he was on a plane to Afghanistan attached to the 101st Airborne. On January 12, 2011, one day before his sons third birthday, Zack was killed by sniper fire as his unit protected a transportation route in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.
His mother and I had spent the afternoon at a museum. From the moment I woke her that morning, she had a bad feeling. She was mad that I woke her because, as she explained, she was having the most vivid dream she had ever had. She was holding her son, telling him that she loved him. He kept repeating that he made it home. We kept receiving phone calls from her oldest daughter but were ignoring them. At the end of our visit, we finally answered one and we were told that we needed to come home. When we walked into our living room, two soldiers from Ft. Knox appeared. It was the most horrific moment I have ever experienced. One was a chaplain and captain, dressed in his dress blues. He cried along with my wife. Nine days later, we buried Zack with full military honors and posthumously received the rank of Specialist. It was the coldest day of the year. The high that day reached 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
That day, I not only lost my step-son but I lost a large part of my best friend and wife. We had been married for seven days before Zack was killed. She was the most vibrant woman I have ever met. She is still that person but not to the extent she was. There is no way to describe the loss of a child. Imagine your worst nightmare and magnify that one million times and you may get close. There are days when my wife can’t get out of bed because she is so full of grief and despair. Nothing eases the pain. All I can do is love her and support her.
Prior to enlistment, Zack had found God. He had his favorite Bible verse (paraphrased) tattooed on his calf; James 4:14 – “life is but a vapor”. I think he may have known something.
Hold your loved ones close and make sure they know you love them. Never take anything for granted. Enjoy the little and simple moments with them before it is too late.
After my younger brothers death in 1987 and seeing what it did to my parents , I know exactly what you mean. My thoughts are with you and your family brother.
Thank you for sharing that with us. My heart goes out to you and your family, especially your wife.
You have lived through one of life's worst nightmares, and I can only tell you that God will help you through this.
Right now I have two children in the military, my son is in Afghanistan right now, and I try not to think about the possibilities.
May God bless you and the brave men and women that serve, and their families.
Brian
Thanks for sharing your pain. I have a nephew who just returned from Afghanistan from his second tour there. He had already served two tours in Iraq. He was able to come home for ten days for the birth of his daughter. He is a fine Christian man and a great father to his two children. We worry every time he has to go back, but as a career officer we know it will happen again. Give his mother a hug and tell her we certainly feel for her.
Andy
Thanks to Zachary for his ultimate service to this country. We will be forever grateful for the sacrifices he and countless others have made for our freedoms. I cannot even begin to imagine losing a child. I will keep you and your family in prayers.
