A Somber Weekend.

Mark was suppose to have drill this weekend. He left Friday morning and I didn't expect to see him again until Sunday. When he called late Friday afternoon to ask if his dress shoes were anywhere to be found, I was a bit surprised. He was out in the field. What did he need dress shoes for?

He told me he had been selected for a temporary duty assignment and would be home soon. What assignment would pull him away from drill and require his Class A's? Not a good one. He was chosen to be a Casualty Assistance Officer.

The duties of the Casualty Assistance Officer are to help a family that has suffered the recent loss of a soldier.

After the family was notified Friday night, Mark contacted them to help prepare them for their trip to Dover for the arrival of their soldier. His duties include being the contact person in case the family has any questions regarding the process and what happens once their soldier is returned home.

Even though we do not personally know this family or soldier, it is a sad time. My heart goes out to them. We, of course, cannot know the full extent of what they are going through but this has had an effect on us. It brings us back to the realization that there is still a war going on. People are still dying.

It is a sad time. A sad time for the family. A sad time for us. A sad time for our country.