Navy SEAL’s Death a True Tragedy
“To be a successful soldier, you must know history.” – George S. Patton Jr.
Last Saturday in Virginia a Navy SEAL Commander fell to his death from a helicopter he was fast roping down from. Cmdr. Brian Bourgeois, 43, leaves a wife and 5 young children. He was the commanding officer of SEAL Team 8.
The cause of the training accident is not as yet released. We are not sure if the rope detached from the chopper or what. It is being investigated and we await the outcome of that investigation.
One thing is 100% certain. America is in a worse place with his passing. It is missing a patriot, a true son of this Constitutional Republic. A man who put this country first every time. A man who fought for our freedoms and liberties. A man, who despite the current Commander in Chief, put honor and flag before all. A man who unlike most politicians and political military leadership put 100% faith and belief in the Oath he swore and lived it daily.
This man gave just over 20 years of selfless service to this nation, doing the work 99.99% of people could not nor would do.
Many of you know I have friends in Special Operations forces. I served in Rhodesia in a Spec Ops group on operational service from 1973 – 1980. We were good but couldn’t hold a flame to these guys. America is blessed to have such fine men ready to drop everything in a second to defend us.
The Special operations community is small. It is tight. They are all mourning today.
A friend of mine was the CO of SEAL Team 8 and knew him personally. At that time Cmdr. Brian Bourgeois was his Lt. in Iraq. I want to quote my friends words here as they are heartfelt and need hearing by you all.
“He was a hell of a good guy. He was one of my LTs in Iraq. No job too hard, he exemplified “Message to Garcia.” It was a privilege to have known and worked with him. He represented the best of all uniformed service members and was highly regarded as one of our best SEALs.”
I lost friends in Rhodesia in the war and understand what my friend is going through. We feel guilt. Guilt that it was not us. A realization that it also very well could have been. A realization about immortality.
“For some it takes days. But a real man will never let his fear of death overpower his honor his sense of duty to his country and his innate manhood. Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best and it removes all that is base.” ― George S. Patton Jr.
Today I ask all of my readers to please put their hands in their pockets and donate at the link I have placed below. There is no amount of money that will help heal the pain his family is going through. Money however, is a necessary evil when a bread winner is removed suddenly. Show your support for this man and your appreciation for all he achieved and did on your behalf.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE BOURGEOIS FAMILY FUND
“To all his brothers I am reminded of this expression. “How can the dead be truly dead when they still live in the souls of those who are left behind?” From a poem called “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter”, by Carson McCullers.
Please feel free to hit the like button and comment here. Share this widely. America has lost another favorite son. Honor his life.
©Fred Brownbill. All rights reserved.
This American hero was a classmate and my son’s friend at the U.S. Naval Academy. He was the breadwinner foe his wife and five children. Please make a generious donation in Brian’s honor for his family’s support. Thank you!