It is a historical constant that as a man’s age increases, so too does his list of those for whom he mourns. By the law of averages, someone at age 50 is missing lost grandparents, parents, and old friends. A 60-year-old has lost more people.

When I enlisted in the Army National Guard, I accepted the increased risk to myself, and training for reacting to direct and indirect fire, assaulting a fixed position, and breaching a wire obstacle further prepared me for the possibility that I might be killed in the service. Nobody prepared me for the burden of losing good soldiers with whom I served.