After four years at West Point and over six years serving on active duty as an officer in the U.S. Army, I have seen my share of death. The number of friends, classmates, and coworkers that have been casualties of the war on terror is too high for me to begin to count.
I think there might be the perception that you expect death or become almost immune to it if you are in or around the military. Yes, death is always a possibility when you deploy but I think most service men and women would tell you that they expect to return home to their loved ones. You know there is an inherent risk when you join the military, but the desire to serve your country is greater then any fear you may have.
And let me tell you. It doesn’t get easier. In fact, I would argue that it gets harder. You get so tired of having to say goodbye to friends and coworkers, of good people losing their lives way too soon, and of seeing happy families torn apart and changed forever. You get frustrated because things seem to stay the same despite their giving of their life. And you get annoyed when other trivial stories get more press than your friend’s passing.
The war on terror doesn’t generate the same press that it did when it first started. I will admit that I have no concept of what is going on in Afghanistan at the moment, where U.S. troops are stationed, or even how many are there. It’s easy to forget that there are still thousands of men and women protecting our freedom each and every day.
Despite my husband and I both being free and clear of any further commitment to the Army, we still have many friends, spouses of friends, and former coworkers still serving our country.
One of my husband’s best friends had recently deployed to Afghanistan, his third deployment during his 12+ Army career. Although Major Tom Kennedy (“TK”) had only been in my life for a few short years, he had been an integral part of my husband’s life since their first year at West Point in 1996. They were classmates, hockey teammates, roommates after graduation, and “Battle” or “Ranger” buddies during Ranger school. TK and my husband spent most of the next eight years stationed at different posts throughout the world but still managed to overlap several times and made the most out of those times together.
We were thrilled when we learned that TK and his beautiful wife, Kami, were to be stationed at West Point for three years (starting in 2009). My husband and I were living in NYC at the time and were excited to not just crash at their home during trips up to our alma mater (which we did numerous times) but to get to spend time with two of the nicest, warmest people we knew.
TK and Kami welcomed their adorable twins (Maggie and Brody) in early fall of 2010 and we soon followed with the birth our son in January. Our families were present at many events for each other, including our son’s Christening and 1st Birthday Party.
After three years as faculty at West Point, TK returned to a line unit for what was supposed to be a short deployment. He had been in Afghanistan for less than three weeks, when the unimaginable happened – Major Thomas Kennedy was KIA during a routine patrol in the eastern province of Kunar.
The world lost an amazing husband, father, son, brother, friend, and soldier Wednesday. TK had the ability to light up a room with his smile and laugh and the world seems a bit dimmer since Wednesday night.
Regardless of your view on this war and whether the U.S. should even have a presence there, I just ask that you keep Major Kennedy, his wife, Kami, his children Maggie and Brody, his parents, family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
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Links
Memorial Page for MAJ Thomas Kennedy
Fundraising Page for his Children’s College Fund
I’m catching up on my favorite blogs and am just now seeing this. I’m so sorry for your loss and and am keeping you and TK’s family in my thoughts and prayers. THANK YOU for all you and all our military have done! There really isn’t a greater sacrifice and I’m so sad the world has lost such a wonderful person. Best wishes to his family and yours.
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Praying for his family family and friends along with those still fighting. I’m thankful that my hubby was safe while deployed as a marine.
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Michelle, I’m so sorry for your loss! As an Army brat, and stationed at West Point for 6 years (and sponsoring tons of cadets), I can understand your pain/loss, as this has happened to me. It doesn’t ever make it easier. I’m praying that Maj. Kennedy is in a better place, and that his family can rest knowing that he gave the ultimate sacrifice to his country! Praying for his family and your family, as you find peace in the loss
i just can’t imagine. my heart breaks for TK and for his beautiful wife and children, and for all who knew and loved him. thank you for sharing this story with all of us michele. sending all my love and prayers.
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This was a beautiful post Miche. I’m thinking of you and Paul and TK’s family of course.
Love you!
Thank you for sharing something so personal. I am praying.
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So sorry to read this story – I’m always sorry to read these stories. Being a military family ourself, the way it hits “home” is so un-describable. Many thoughts to all the families and yours involved with this particular casualty.
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Oh Michele … my heart is just aching for his family! I literally have chills right now. We too have been through that loss and seen it many times over … and it never gets easier. Nor should it.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family. He made the ultimate sacrifice but so did they.
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I’m not afraid to admit that I just cried reading this story. My brother-in-law just returned from Afghanistan about 18 days ago. He’s been deployed about 4 times in the last 7 years that they have been married…and he’s just in the reserves (Army). He goes both with the reserves and his company, and he and my sister have two boys (6 and 3). It drives my sister insane and breaks my heart on days she’s struggling alone. My heart breaks for Kami and their boys. I can’t imagine the feeling of losing my husband…and I’m so sorry for you and for your husband and the loss of such a long-time, great friend. You’re all in my prayers…
And despite what others may think of the war on terror and the reasons for military presence in other countries, one thing should be remembered: those soldiers, leaving their families behind to live without them whether for months, years, or forever, are all fighting for something…for all of us. Sacrifice is sacrifice and it should NEVER be disrespected…and it’s not just the soldiers that do so…their wives, children, and families sacrifice for us as well.
I’m very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with Maj Kennedy’s family at this time.
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Im terribly sorry for you and your husband’s loss, Michele. That is just unimaginable and tragic. My heart and prayers are with all of his loved ones, especially his wife and twins.
Heartbreaking! I’m so sorry for your loss…you are all in my prayers!
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I’m so sorry for their loss and for your family’s loss as well. My thoughts are with you all.
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thinking of your family and theirs. xo
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wives go through something similar. We prepare the casseroles, hold the wives as their bodies quake with horror and loss, help them pick up the pieces. We do so tire of it.
I will say kaddish for this loss as well.
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I am so so sorry for your loss He’s an amazing man for giving his life to our country. Thinking of all of you and sending love and prayers. <3
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It definitely gets harder. The older we get, the more we learn to appreciate life and the bonds that knit our hearts together with friends & family. I was saddened to hear about the attack, but often so easy to hear these things and then go back to the busyness of our own lives.
Thank you for the reminder that these are not just names and faces. These are fathers, husbands, friends. Each has a story, a legacy, and has truly given us the greatest sacrifice.
I’m so sorry for your loss and will be praying!
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This is absolutely heartbreaking. As a military spouse myself, I just can’t even imagine that kind of loss. I am so sorry.
I am sorry for your lost your family and his are in my prayers!
saying a prayer now. xoxo
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My heart breaks. It is so sad I have no words. Truly the ultimate sacrifice.
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I am a military spouse and the mother of twins… as I type this, I am sobbing for the loss of Major Thomas Kennedy. I am on my knees praying for Kami and her beautiful babies and all of the people who will miss the presence of Thomas. May the bright light of his essence hover and protect you and his family until you meet again. My deepest condolences many times over.
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I am sorry for the loss of your friend. It’s sad that the soldiers are still fighting over there. My brother was in Afghanistan with the Canadian Military when I was pregnant with my first. We hated every moment of it but beyond thankful he came home to us.
Again, I am sorry for the loss of your friend.
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All I can say is that I am so sorry for your loss. I am thankful for every soldier who outs their life on the line for our country.
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Oh man, this is so very sad, I am SO so so sorry to hear it my friend. I cannot even fathom witnessing one death, let alone hundreds of deaths while serving in the military. I SO respect what you all have done to serve our country so very much, it’s an incredible sacrifice to make.
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My heart breaks every time I hear of a casualty knowing that these are fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, etc. You are right. It doesn’t get easier. Positive light and energy to you, your family, and your friend’s family during this time. love you.
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My condolences for your family and the beautiful family who lost a great man. I’m thankful for his service and pray for comfort in this time of loss.
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I am so sorry. I truly don’t know what to say. I can’t imagine the pain that everyone must feel over this immense loss.
You, your husband, Kami and kids are all in my thoughts and prayers!
Thanks for your amazing service to this country!
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Oh Michele, I’m am so so sorry. You are right – you never “get used to” death and frankly, no one ever should. My heart goes out to you, your husband, Kami and those beautiful kids and all the lives that TK touched. xoxo
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