Since it is impossible to be immortal, the object of a person’s life should be to create something that is. History has its share of figures who continue to inspire us today by their contributions, but it’s important not to forget the man who simply does his work.

People who join the military do so for various reasons, but if they dig deep enough within themselves there lies the fact that they want to serve their country. The Marines I knew in Alpha Company not only served their country, but they fought for it.

It has been two years since my friend, Neil Petsche, was killed in Iraq . I don’t plan on writing a perennial piece on the anniversary of his death, but I wanted to make an important point: Most of our fallen heroes won’t make it in the annals of history, so it’s up to the people who knew them and loved them to keep their memory alive.

Neil grew up in the tiny town of Lena, Illinois. Upon high school graduation, he joined the Marine Corps. I met him in October of 2002 at the School of Infantry. I think everyone that knew him could attest to the fact that while he was probably the worst runner they’d ever seen, he always put on an ostensible display of alacrity. He was always up to the task, and no matter how miserable the conditions, it was hard to wipe the smile off of his face.

I remember sitting on top of a bunker at the “retrans” site (Those in Alpha know all about it) reading a book while Neil was breaking up some firewood with an axe. He missed the piece he was aiming for and hit a rock instead. He didn’t know I was watching, but he dedicated the next dozen swings or so to breaking that stubborn rock. Once he finally conquered it, he raised the axe in victory. Granted, that’s only something a man would do, but it’s amazing what can lift one’s spirits when stranded in the middle of the desert. Neil didn't know it at the time, but that moment was immortalized because I will never forget it and how it made me laugh.

Every fallen warrior ought to have their memory kept alive, not in a painful way, but in a way as to make them “immortal”. Akhilleus chose not to remain in Greece and live out a long and prosperous life because he wanted to be remembered for his action rather than inaction. His name still goes hand in hand with the famous warriors throughout mythology and history because people tell his story.

It’s not taboo to talk about our lost loved ones. Rather, we should honor them by getting their stories out.

I read this quote from Virgil's "Aeneid" at Neil's funeral in Iraq, and I don't think I could have picked a more pertinent quote from literature.

Every man's last day is fixed.
Lifetimes are brief, and not to be regained,
For all mankind. But by their deeds to make
Their fame last: that is labor for the brave

Semper Fidelis, Marines. God bless you all