https://projects.militarytimes.com/valor/

Please click through the link and look at the faces.  Consider the individuals.  

The first page of pictures is of those who died most recently.  This is the first Memorial Day for their families who, instead of thinking of their loved one serving, are still trying to come to grips with the fact that their daughter, their son, their brother, their husband, their cousin, their daddy — is gone.

I think of this as pretty close to the least I can do.  I can look at the photos.  Look at Air Force Captain Mark Voss.  Four weeks ago he was alive.  Now he’s not.

What is Air Force Captain James Steel bustin’ up about?  Something’s going on, off camera, to his right and he’s enjoying it.  Some friends deliberately goofing off, perhaps, or maybe a dog jumping an amazing height to catch a frisbee, and James is just enjoying the sight.

The photo of Army Pfc Markie Sims makes me sad.  He looks sad, don’t you think?  I suppose the photo was taken during basic training, and this was his first deployment.  Maybe he was already wondering what he had gotten himself into.  Maybe he’s just a sad kind of guy and couldn’t brighten up for a photo.

Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Christian looks proud and focused.  At the end of April, his family was just waiting to hear from him again.  Now I suppose they’ve received whatever his last letter was.  They’ve received his personal effects.  They’re not waiting to hear from him any more.

Army Specialist Cody Suggs — what you doing with ear-studs, bud!??  There must not have been a uniform pic available for him, but Specialist Suggs’ life was spent also.  He’s gone.  And I bet some family member will treasure (or wear) Cody’s ear-studs for a long, long time.  Cody, you’re breaking my heart.  You have the goofy ear-rings, like an adolescent who won’t listen to mom — but you went and laid your life down, didn’t you?

Army Sgt Enrique Mondragen, whose shoulder is that you are affectionately leaning into?  Is that your sister? Maybe your girlfriend?  Were they waiting for a call for you on Christmas Day, 2012, when instead they saw uniformed officers walking up to their front door?  Enrique — why Christmas Eve?  Why.  I’m sure the owner of the shoulder wonders the same….why, at all.  And why Christmas Eve.

Air Force Captain Victoria Pinckney, is that your little doll baby leaning in to touch your cheek?  Or a niece?  Whoever that little sweetie is, this photo will be a forever part of their future.

Please go and look at the faces and the names and the dates.  It is, very nearly, the least we can do.