A Soldier's Death

CHRISTMAS MORNING two years ago, no one at my parents’ house was allowed to use the telephone. We were waiting for a rare call from my brother from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island. When we heard from him, Michael regaled us with his experiences at boot camp–how hard the drill instructors pushed them, how awful food in the mess hall was, and how he couldn’t wait for graduation day. At the end of the call, he lowered his voice, and said, “I don’t want to worry you guys, but a recruit in my platoon just died of meningitis. I’m fine, but I just wanted to let you all know.”

On Wednesday, citing the Feres Doctrine, a U.S. District judge threw out the lawsuit the recruit’s family filed over his questionable death.