A Hero's Death in Afghanistan, and the Question 'Why?'

WaPo ^ | Sept 1, 2009 | Dana Milbank

[RDTF]

On Saturday, millions watched as Ted Kennedy made his final trip to Arlington National Cemetery. With rather less attention, Arlington's soil opened again Monday to accept the remains of one of Kennedy's former aides, 40-year-old Bill Cahir.

The deceased, an Alexandria resident, was unknown to most Americans, but he did no less for his country than his old boss -- and, gauged by the last full measure of devotion, he did even more. He went from his job working for Kennedy in the Senate to become, at various points, a Washington journalist and a failed congressional candidate. But it was the Sept. 11 attacks that inspired Cahir, at age 34, to get an age waiver from military recruiters in 2003 and enlist in the Marines.

-snip-

[RDTF]

Of course the WaPo has to tarnish his choice to enlist by suggesting he may not have if he had known he was going to Iraq first.

[Old Retired Army Guy]

I can feel it right now. The country will have no stomach to go the long haul in Afghanistan. We might as well pull out now rather than later after the loss of these good men. Better now than a scene of helicopters pulling people off of roof tops later.

[Pentagon Leatherneck]

Exactly. Dana Milbanks has to get in his cheap shot. Uninformed, but opinionated as usual.

RIP, Sergeant Cahir.
Semper Fi.

TC

[SuziQ]

But perhaps the greatest honor was bestowed by a dozen men who stood in the back of the chapel and were the last to leave: New York firefighters in their FDNY dress uniforms. They had been the iconic figures of Sept. 11, which sent Cahir off to the Marines -- and they were there again at journey's end.

They understood why he went, even if the Washington Compost doesn't, and they honored his sacrifice with their presence.