Bad news indeed
David Miles died today. It really shocked me to read that this morning. I only met him once, and I have to say that at the time he got a mixed reaction from me. He did get on my nerves (I was a former Marine, and he was awaiting shipping to bootcamp--he was more than a bit excited to get to talk to someone who had been there, and I just wanted to chill and talk D&D (the term "boot" is perhaps the best description). At the same time, it was very refreshing to meet someone who was so excited about where his life was going and serving his country (a rare commodity in general and more rare yet in Mallet). I think what struck me most about his death was that he was serving his country at the time of his death (I would imagine he died in service to one of his true loves); I wish it had been a more meaningful death for him (it really upset me to see that he died on a bus ride home from training). I wish he could have at least been able to make it to Iraq where David would have felt he was making a difference for us. Moreover, I wish David did not have to die at all. It was a sobering reminder of what it means to join the military, and I hope it reminds people that the military is indeed a sacrifice and more dangerous than we would like to think. Steve and Quin--I don't want to have to write similar posts about either of you, so be lucky.