H/T to My Matthew (Medic Matthew) and by extension, Wild Ed’s Texas Outdoors.
I didn’t know Staff Sergeant John Beale.
I’ve never met him. I didn’t know any of his family or friends.
I didn’t know that he was 39, I didn’t know that he was from Georgia, that he was a member of the Georgia National Guard’s 48th Infantry Brigade, or that he married his wife right out of highschool. I didn’t know that he was a Father of an 8 and a 12 year old.
Until tonight.
Until tonight, I didn’t know that he loved being in the military. I didn’t know that he was deployed to Afghanistan a month ago, his second tour there. And I didn’t know that he died a few days ago thanks to an IED, alongside two of his fellow Soldiers, 21-year-old Specialist Jeffrey Jordan, and 37-year-old Major Kevin Jenrette.
Here’s what I do know. And it’s been made abundantly clear through a shaky 12 minute video. This man, and the countless men and women over there… They are respected, and they are loved.
Check out this video, and grab a few tissues, you’ll need them.
thank you for posting this.
God Bless SSgt Beale
They died the first week in… Good friend of mine is the Team Lead and is really torn up about this.
Epi, this is my hometown. I was proud to show the family that we do still care. It was a honor to be able to show my respects.
I’m still without words. Thank you to Stephanie, Old NFO, and Michael for leaving the heartfelt comments.
Thank you SSgt Beale. Thank you Specialist Jeffrey Jordan. Thank you Major Kevin Jenrette.
Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.