Not a firearm discussion

[sleevespade]

Nothing to do with firearms here, but perhaps a misuse of the board as a "sympathetic ear".

My son, Specialist Wade A. Slack, 21, was killed in Afghanistan on May 6.

Wade is at least part of the reason I entered this community. I built a 5.56 AR for him as a gift recently and because he wanted me to have an AR as well - and I decided upon 6.8SPC as the caliber - I joined this forum.

Wade's MOS was explosive ordnance disposal. On May 6, his squad was tasked with disposal of unexploded rocket and mortar rounds at an FOB (forward operating base) in Afghanistan which had been coming under sporadic rocket and mortar attack. He completed the assignment and was waiting to be airlifted out when the FOB came under attack again. A 107mm rocket or mortar exploded approximately twenty feet from where Wade was and he took shrapnel in the cheek and neck. The neck wound severed his carotid artey and he died. I have a medical background, so I know that it was quick.

No one else was killed or injured.

I'm in a bad place right now. I've had a life. I want to trade places with Wade. I'm angry, sad, helpless and hopeless all at the same time.

Wade was looking forward to being home this fall for the births of two nephews or neices. His sister and sister-in-law are both due about the same time.

We were supposed to be sighting-in his AR this fall. I bought him a stripped lower receiver for his birthday in March and just kept getting packages until Wade's AR was complete. He was excited about it - wanted pictures and so forth.

Wade had a military transfer ceremony at Dover AFB two days ago, and will have another at Augusta, Maine, when his remains come home. Don't know when that will be as yet but it will be sometime in the next two days.

I can't write any more right now......

[marinesg1012]

prayers for you and yours... it always hurts to lose a brother in arm.. I have no words to express how sorry I am to hear of your lose. Know that his life helped save others.

I have family in maine if you need anything let me know.

[vmkeith]

You have my condolences. It's never easy to lose a loved one.

[Bull001]

I'm so sorry.... It's not easy, but he was doing a job, and it was a dangerous one. He and all the others will be hailed as heros, just like the men who died in places like the beaches of Normandy, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Vietnam, Korea and in so many other places across this world. Many hundreds and thousands of parents have stood in your shoes over the course of this country and its forging, and every single one is an exception of great sorrow and gratitude for what they have sacrificed. We are all forever in your debt.

My small little words may not bring you any comfort, and I feel like I should just keep my trap shut. But all I can say is that I'm sorry. Let us know if we can help in any way. Nothing is too far for a Texan. I have family in Maine too.

[Sak007]

You have my condolences & prayers

[pantherdude]

Our prayers are with you and your family.

[angsniper]

You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep you head held high, he was a hero!

[falmike]

My Condolences and prayers Sir.

I am sure your Son was treated with Dignity and Respect all the way home. I had the honor to stand for the final farewell to several Soldiers on their last trip home from Bagram Airbase.

Mike

[eastern_hunter]

Our most sincere condolences for your loss ... and our tears and prayers for you and yours.

Both of out fathers, one brother, and two sons have been or are career military ... Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy and Marines. We thank you for the great service and mourn your great loss.

[OC455]

I do not think that I have any words that could bring you comfort with the loss of your son.

The only solace that I could express to you, is that your son saved his brother-in-arm's lives by doing his job and doing his job well.

Thank you for bringing your son to this world and giving him the fortitude to make a choice in life that few others would make.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[TackDriver68]

You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep you head held high, he was a hero!


+1

If there is anything we as a community can do to help, please ask.

[68WJ]

Thank you for raising a hero.

[Aramark]

thought and prayers are with you and your family. May he rest in peace forever.

[IndianaDave]

Our deepest condolences. Thank you for raising a brave hero.

[T.Rexford]

Prayers from my family to you and yours. If there is anything you need just please let us know.

[Robby]

Sleevespade, I thank God for men like you and your son, and pray that he will touch you with His grace.
Robby

[Artos]

You raised a hero Dad!! Please know that our home sends prayers of comfort to you, your family and his friends.

We also thank you both for our freedoms & his selfless sacrifice to the greatest nation on the planet. We are in his debt.

<><

Paul

[Ratdog68]

Sleevespade... I'm at a loss for adequate words of my own. My heart shares a measure of your hurt with you.

Thank you, to you, your family, and to your son for the sacrifice that has been given on behalf of us all. You raised a hero, who brings honor to your family.

I'm so very sorry...

Numbers ch 6:
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

[ZA206]

May God bless you and the rest of your family and hold Wade at his side waiting for your happy reunion one day.

-ZA

[BigDaddyBangBang]

I'm very sorry for your loss and hope you and your family can someday find peace in knowing that he died a hero. My condolences.

-Matt

[t_ridl]

You have my condolences...Im truly sad for you loss. My thoughs and prayers are with him, you and your family. God Bless.

[jasonpeterson]

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Boomer]

Sir, our prayers are with you and yours along with unmeasurable gratitude for your son's brave service and sadness for your loss. Blessings!

[elktrk]

Never forget and God Bless.

[Jamesb74]

Words cannot express the sorrow and sympathy we have for you and your family. Your son is definitely a hero and one of America's greatest.
My prayers and thoughts for you and your family. God Bless.

[VLODPG]

"Let us not ask God why men such as this should die in war...
Rather let us thank God that such men lived."

General George S. Patton, Jr.




.

[NE-AR]

"To fallen soldiers let us sing
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord

No more bleeding, no more fight
No prayers pleading through the night
Just divine embrace, eternal light
To the Mansions of the Lord.

Where no mothers cry and no children weep
We will stand and guard though the angels sleep
Through the ages safely keep
The Mansions of the Lord."

My deepest respect, heartfelt sympathy and gratitude for the sacrifice you and your family has made.

RIP Warrior

[sigpros]

Our thought's and prayers to you and your family. I don't know the words, but thank you for raising a fine man. I hope I do as good of job with my kids.

[Zippy]

Nothing to do with firearms here, but perhaps a misuse of the board as a "sympathetic ear".....

I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear of your experience. All three of my sons have served over there so I've lived with the fear of it happening though all of them were lucky. I'm sorry to hear your son paid the ultimate price for defending our freedom.

[Bull001]

........*sniff*

[wheatshocker]

Although I can't begin to fathom your pain, my heart is breaking for you over the loss of your son. You and your family are in my thoughts any prayers.

I have two young sons and they may one day serve our country in the military. I hope they don't die doing so, but I can think of no greater honor than for one to lay down his life for a friend (John 15:13).

This is not the end, you will someday be together again.


Wheatshocker,

[M995]

Nothing to do with firearms here, but perhaps a misuse of the board as a "sympathetic ear".

My son, Specialist Wade A. Slack, 21, was killed in Afghanistan on May 6.

Wade is at least part of the reason I entered this community. I built a 5.56 AR for him as a gift recently and because he wanted me to have an AR as well - and I decided upon 6.8SPC as the caliber - I joined this forum.

Wade's MOS was explosive ordnance disposal. On May 6, his squad was tasked with disposal of unexploded rocket and mortar rounds at an FOB (forward operating base) in Afghanistan which had been coming under sporadic rocket and mortar attack. He completed the assignment and was waiting to be airlifted out when the FOB came under attack again. A 107mm rocket or mortar exploded approximately twenty feet from where Wade was and he took shrapnel in the cheek and neck. The neck wound severed his carotid artey and he died. I have a medical background, so I know that it was quick.

No one else was killed or injured.

I'm in a bad place right now. I've had a life. I want to trade places with Wade. I'm angry, sad, helpless and hopeless all at the same time.

Wade was looking forward to being home this fall for the births of two nephews or neices. His sister and sister-in-law are both due about the same time.

We were supposed to be sighting-in his AR this fall. I bought him a stripped lower receiver for his birthday in March and just kept getting packages until Wade's AR was complete. He was excited about it - wanted pictures and so forth.

Wade had a military transfer ceremony at Dover AFB two days ago, and will have another at Augusta, Maine, when his remains come home. Don't know when that will be as yet but it will be sometime in the next two days.

I can't write any more right now......

I am sorry to hear this about your son. Although I am not an American, I do appreciate what your son was trying to do for his country. I hope you are doing okay and I know that it is always tough when a loved one is suddenly gone.

[eskimomosul]

May The LORD be with you sir,So Sorry for your loss..

[shortnold]

My prayer is that the Lord will comfort you and your family. He has blessed you with a son who was willing to die for others. He also had such a Son.

[ch1966]

My heart goes out to you and your family.
God bless.
In deepest sympathy,

[okdave]

My deepest heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. May he rest in eternal peace.

[hunt-m-up]

My sympathies to you and your family. May God comfort and strengthen you in this time of great loss.

[maggiepi]

I tried to reply to this thread when it was first posted, I could not find words . My heart ached for your son, for you and for your family.

It has been years for me now and happy memories of my son have began to replaced tears.


God bless you and your family. I will keep you in my prayers



MS

[shermbodius]

God bless you coming from another brother in arms. Please stay strong.

[Crowbrother]

So sorry for your loss. Will be praying for you and your family.