In Memoriam

9 February 2011, SGT Patrick Ryan Carroll was killed in Afghanistan by an IED during patrol.  January 10th 2011, about 4 weeks before he was killed, he was stateside on home leave and serendipitously stranded for a few extra days in the U.S. because of a snow storm, and he commented on my blog.  He went by the screen name The Misguided Prodigy and when he was stateside and able to, he commented frequently on my blog.  I don't know how he found me but I was always glad to see his comments (as I am to see any at all).  He was an ardent fan and so encouraging and complimentary of whatever nonsense I had to say.  I wondered today if he was still down range and checked his blog and learned he had been killed.  God, what a world we live in.  I didn't even know your real name until today Patrick but I hope you have killer internet connection speeds up there and have some time now when you aren't helping your loved ones heal to tap out some of those posts you had bubbling up inside you.  Rest in peace blogger friend.  Thank you for your service, I so deeply regret your sacrifice.