Thursday, October 29, 2009

The Continuing Toll

A member of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s FAST (Foreign-deployed Advisory and Support Team),Special Agent Forrest Leamon died this week in Afghanistan.

He was killed in the line of duty, when the helicopter he was riding in went down following a firefight with Taliban drug traffickers.

He was 37.

He leaves behind a wife, Ana. They were were expecting their first child in February.

Forrest was a friend and shipmate, one of my students, a fellow teammate and Owl, and a hell of a guy.

Fair winds and following seas, Forrest. You will be missed.

 

 

Don’t expect much from me today.

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18 comments:

  1. Carol ElaineOctober 29, 2009 at 10:42 AM

    I am so sorry.

    My deepest sympathies go out to his wife, the rest of his family & his friends. Especially you, Jim.

    ReplyDelete
  2. WendyB_09October 29, 2009 at 10:49 AM

    Jim,
    My deepest condolences to your friend's family, as well as to you and your family. You are in my thoughts this day.

    If you need anything, you know we'll do whatever we can for you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. nzformeOctober 29, 2009 at 10:57 AM

    I'm so sorry.

    Thank you for sharing his name and a bit of his story. They should not be faceless.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AimOctober 29, 2009 at 11:33 AM

    I'm so very sorry to hear this. It makes me angry, and sad.

    You have my thoughts and sympathy.

    ReplyDelete
  5. JanieceOctober 29, 2009 at 11:46 AM

    Fair winds and following seas, Special Agent Leamon.

    You're in my thoughts, Warrant.

    ReplyDelete
  6. EricOctober 29, 2009 at 11:56 AM

    My sorrow and condolences, for whatever they're worth, Jim. My best wishes to his family.

    ReplyDelete
  7. vinceOctober 29, 2009 at 12:05 PM

    My condolences Jim - to you, his friend, and to his family.

    ReplyDelete
  8. nocurlingOctober 29, 2009 at 12:09 PM

    jim,

    i am so sorry, and offer my condolences. words seem entirely insufficient at times like this. thank you for adding a little backstory.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Alesia MatsonOctober 29, 2009 at 12:50 PM

    I'm... sorry.

    And aware of just how inadequate that is. :(

    ReplyDelete
  10. CraigBOctober 29, 2009 at 12:51 PM

    Jim -

    Thank you for shedding a little more light on such a bright shinning star.

    Forrest was one of my best friends and truly one of the most honest and generous guys you would ever meet.

    Thank you all for the kind words they do help.

    Forrest is dearly missed.

    ReplyDelete
  11. neurondocOctober 29, 2009 at 3:02 PM

    It is important that we learn the names and stories rather than the statistics. Thanks for sharing. My condolences to your friend's family and to you, as well.

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  12. MWTOctober 29, 2009 at 4:02 PM

    Sorry to hear of this. Condolences to all his friends and family.

    ReplyDelete
  13. mensleyOctober 29, 2009 at 7:21 PM

    Thank you for sharing this. It's a good reminder that there are others besides the military putting their lives on the line for us.

    Thank you Special Agent Leamon. May you rest in peace, and may your friends and family find some comfort in this time.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Cindi in COOctober 30, 2009 at 11:42 AM

    Oh, Jim.

    I am so sorry for the loss of your friend.

    My deepest thanks to him, and to all who serve.

    ReplyDelete
  15. melissaOctober 30, 2009 at 7:57 PM

    My deepest condolences to Special Agent Leamon's wife, to-be child, family, and Jim. I have been thinking about this for days and watching the news as they were met in Dover upon their return.

    "You're in the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here" Sara McLaughlin.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Nick from the O.C.October 30, 2009 at 10:00 PM

    Jim,

    If there is any fund being set up for the family, will you please post details here?

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jim WrightOctober 30, 2009 at 10:29 PM

    Nick, there may be a college fund set up for his unborn child - I'll let you know.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dicing with DragonsNovember 2, 2009 at 12:56 PM

    Inadequate as such things are, I also offer my own condolences.

    ReplyDelete

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