Dear Mr. Brad Reed,
I think no apologies are necessary. Especially after you just had to pay a final tribute to a dear friend. Emotions do well up, at times like this, sir. I think everyone understands.
Brad, you don't know me at all - and I am the furthest thing from a U.S. Marine, you could ever imagine! I'm a gentle Canadian writer, and I spend my days (and many of my nights) squirreled away in my little office downtown, writing presentations on abstract things like "climate change", and "the future of the public service." Probably, with all that you have done, in YOUR life, you'd think the way I've spent my life is quite laughable.
But, Brad, I'd like to say, your post moved me, on several levels. First, my best straight friend was captain of our university swimming-team, and almost made it to the Olympics, for Canada. And so I know the FEROCIOUS dedication, and hard work, it took to achieve what you did, in the pool.
Second, I admire and revere your service, to your country. My sister was, for many years, the church accompanist at the Protestant chapel, at our local Canadian Forces Base - with the boys coming and going, to Afghanistan. Brad, my sister played the solemn music, for many a funeral-service, for our dear lads who perished, over there. And of course, that broke her heart.
And every Christmas, for many years - because the staff was small, and the budget LOW (the Canadian military isn't all that well-funded): my sister invited me to help her with a special Christmas service for the veterans, and for the new guys, who were going over to Kandahar. And we sang Christmas carols for the boys who'd come home (some of them sorely wounded, and some of them who had lost comrades, like you): and for the boys who were about to go over there - and you will understand this better than ANYONE ELSE on this board, but. . . those boys were brave, but scared SHITLESS. When the service was done, my sister and I always took time to shake each serviceman's hand, and give him a hug.
And it always made me cry a little, when my sister and I went home, Brad - home to our Christmas trees, and decorations, and presents the next day: knowing those kids (and a lot of them really WERE kids; the officers were older, of course, but most of the congregation were young enlisted men) were going to be putting their lives on the line, any day. And knowing that some of them would likely NOT come home.
Sir, you have nothing to apologize, for. You, and your best friends, have been to hell and back - and if anyone deserves a chance to blow off steam, and have a rant - it's you. I think everyone on this board understands that, and knowing Jon, who is your friend - I am sure he does, too.
In any case, Brad, first of all, I think you're right - you need a chance to decompress from all this, a little. But I am going to "friend" you, on here - and when you are ready to apply for college, if you need help with the applications, please feel welcome to write me, and I'll be glad to help you, if I can. I'm an old guy, and not necessarily totally up-to-date with everything that's going on in colleges, these days: but. . .I do have an M.A. (with gold medal): and back in the day, I sent lots of my students to the University of Toronto, McGill, and Princeton. And I am happy to help you out, with writing-stuff, if I can. It would be the least I can do.
God bless you sir, and take care of yourself. You're a friend to us, and you
matter. And your courage and service to your country is an example, to all of us, here. You're a great guy; we all know it; and when you need to vent, you should feel free to do so, here.
"A" XOXOXOXOXO
*STAY STRONG. BUCK UP. And bring the same COURAGE to your civilian life that you brought to your military duties. . . and you will be OK, Brad!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSRlQPD6Xiw
