Three lives linked by call to duty, common tragedy

The Boston Globe ^ | Farah Stockman

[ventanax5]

They were three best friends at Harvard Law School who turned their backs on lucrative careers to follow an exceedingly rare path: Michael Weston, who jogged through Harvard Yard in combat boots and openly scorned corporate life, joined the Marines. Helge Boes and his girlfriend Cynthia Tidler, who shared their friend’s sense of duty and adventure, joined the CIA.

Their choices - made out of passion, patriotism, and an urge to live an unconventional life - intertwined their fates.

Boes, a covert CIA operative, died when a grenade went off during training in Afghanistan in 2003, leaving Tidler, whom he had married after school, a widow. In their grief, Weston and Tidler reconnected and married earlier last year. Three months later, Weston deployed to Afghanistan; he died there in October, in a helicopter crash, widowing Tidler once again.

In law school, their interest in military and intelligence work made them oddities to many classmates. Now, in law firms and investment banks across the country, some who knew them are questioning their own career choices. Indeed, their friends said, the close relationship of the three, their commitment to confront America’s enemies, and the tragic arc of their lives underscore how rare it is for people with privileged educations to volunteer to fight America’s wars.

[exnavy]

Unsung heros. Thanks for serving, RIP.

[True Republican Patriot]

They were the Antithesis of OBOZO! They are True AMERICANS and True AMERICAN HEROS!!
OBOZO is the Hero of AMERICA’S ENEMIES!!

[21twelve]

What a great (yet sad) article. Thanks for posting it. Says something about the few folks out there that follow their dreams.

[El Gato]

Salute!

These days, our heroes are lucky to get a flag for their coffin. In fact, many of those from "WW-II" and Korea are not getting them, simply because no one knows to ask for it, as well as taps and the rifle volleys too. I don't want much, but those I want.

Speaking of volleys, I'd really like to have the one's I'm feeling/hearing at this weekend. Don't know if they are 155mm or 120mm smooth bore. It's cold and it's damp and dreary, so naturally they be training out on the range somewhere.

[exnavy]

HMMMM, I got out of the navy in ‘81, I long for the sound of large navel guns, and that wonderful cordite aroma!

[grey_whiskers]

The Boston Globe, huh?

I can only think of one thing:

[SatinDoll]

What a tragic story. But if I were Tidler, right about now I’d be feeling as though radioactive.

Why? Because in a way, I’ve been there. In my late teens I lost two boyfriends one after the other; one 15-1/2 (motorcycle accident) and another 19 years old (brain tumor). Stayed away from men for a while, afraid there would be a third.

[Patriot Hooligan]

“I consider it no sacrifice to die for my country. In my mind, we came here to thank God that men like these have lived rather than to regret that they have died.”

General George S. Patton

[Utilizer]

I feel for you, luv. I lost a fiancee some years back and the term ‘devastated’ does not do justice to the resultant pain.

[budwiesest]

I don't want much, but those I want.

Mr. El Gato, your Freeper friends will make certain these things will happen. And, thank you for all you do on so many threads, especially 2A.

May you soon be shooting at some food, and hittin' some bubblin' crude.:^)

[Titan Magroyne]

Touching story. Many thanks for their service!