no longer faceless in death
Last week in Houston a man ran off the road in the middle of the night and was killed. When authorities and EMS got to the scene it was discovered he suffered from a gunshot wound to the head prior to the wreck. Someone shot him and maybe he was fleeing or trying to get to a hospital and died while driving. I was like, "That's sad. Sucks for that guy." I just found out I know the guy. His name was SPC Rene Estrada of HHC 36BDE in the Texas Army National Guard. In my unit. In my section. I trained with him on a regular basis. The faceless man morphed into someone I had seen before. Now I can see his face in the moment of his death. I can see the funny things he used to say during drill. I see Estrada's face over and over in my head.
One unfortunate event has turned into tragedy. It's been a long time since I've known someone who has died. It used to happen every year. I'd sit around thinking "I wonder who's next on Death's hitlist." Years have gone by and I don't think about it, until today.
Today I mourn the death of SPC Rene Estrada. May he rest in peace.
One unfortunate event has turned into tragedy. It's been a long time since I've known someone who has died. It used to happen every year. I'd sit around thinking "I wonder who's next on Death's hitlist." Years have gone by and I don't think about it, until today.
Today I mourn the death of SPC Rene Estrada. May he rest in peace.