Cold, and bored the day seemed as if it was never going to end in the southern region of Afghanistan.  Sitting in my hooch cleaning my weapon I hear a horrifying noise, a noise that sounds like death just rung apond my ears.  I walk outside to investigate and see other soldiers running aimlessly around.  Seeing the dark smoke roll over the hes co barriers surrounding our cop(Combat out post).  With out warning my mind snaps into action, I run to the aid station.  ” Sergeant was there anyone out there.”  His face cold and pale looking and his hands shaking as he replies with yes, 1st platoon is in the bizarre ( Bizarre is a flea market in Afghanistan).  I knew it was not going to be a good day. 

I waited impatiently for wounded soldiers to come in, and sure enough they did.  ” WE NEED BLANKETS, WE NEED BLANKETS,” a voice rang out with.  Off I went to find blankets.  Ripping blankets off soldiers cots, and even taken sheets, I sprinted back towards the aid station.  There 30 feet in front of me I saw 5 soldiers laying on there backs in pain.  I continue running towards them when in the corner of my eye I see a soldier laying lifeless on the dirt ground.  Making my way to his aid, I throw the blankets to the ground, and drop to my knees.  My heart is pounding my hands are now shaken as I take the pulse of the soldier.  I feel nothing, no pulse, I start giving CPR, and I check again, once more nothing.  Feeling the tears build around the corner of my eye, I look down and see his eyes looking back at me, with no expression.  I knew he was dead. 

“Help me, Help me” I screamed.  Finally a frantic medic came over and administered first aid.  I looked at the medic and he started to cry, please help me put him in the body bag.  We lifted the young soldier up and lay-ed him inside long black bag.  Before zipping the bag the medic ran his hand over his pale, cold face to cloths his eyes.  ” This is not happening,” I said as my shaky hands zipped up the cold black body bag.  before I closed it all the way I said my final goodbye and apologized for not being able to save him.  I close the bag and turn and walk away.  I had to leave I had to get away.  Never once in my 23 years of life have I ever experienced a man die, ex specially a man younger then me. 

Catching myself I turn around and see a mess of soldiers lieing on the ground in pain, I need to help I need to.    I wipe my tears and begin to administer first aid.  Overhearing one of the officers confirming that they were hit by a suicide bomber, a cowardly act at that.  The helicopters flew in for the medivac, we helped bring the wounded soldiers to the chopper.  After we loaded all the wounded we had to load the dead.  Personally I was only aware of one death but there was actually 2.  Forming to lines, we salute the two body bags as six men carry each bag.  We honor those soldiers with our salute and our tears that night.