R.I.P

[tomstopper]

I thought I posted this yesterday but apparently I wrote it but forgot to hit "post". Back on April 4th, 2003 while I was serving in Iraq, I lost a good friend of mine named Lt. Brian McPhillips when he was struck during a firefight. I had the pleasure of having him as a platoon commander before he was taken off an M1A1 and assigned to Tow platoon. Enlisted men mostly do not get to associate that much with officers but Brian would go out for drinks, get his hands dirty repairing tank track, etc. with the enlisted men. He was more than a platoon commander, leader, officer, mentor, he was a great friend. I have so many fond memories of him at the Marine Corps Ball, CAX, & Camp Legeune (one of my favorites is the day that he showed up at the tank ramp as we were all taking the track off the tanks and was carrying pizza for us all and instead of saying "thank you sir" I said thank you Mr. McPhillips and he about lost his mind until I showed him in the Marine Corps manual that a Second Lt. could be called Mr. (Gunny was laughing but I was told that was a one time deal...lol). Anyways, I just wanted to take some time and ask you all to keep him and his family in your thoughts today (really any service member who paid the ultimate sacrifice). If any have close friends that have been lost, please feel free to post a little something on this thread to share in some of your memories. Thanks all and although Lt McPhillips is gone he is not forgotten. R.I.P Sir and Semper Fi.

http://www.fallenheroesmemorial.com/oif/profiles/mcphillipsbrianm.html

[870supermagnum]

tomstopper, I'm saddened to hear about Lt. McPhillips ultimate sacrifice.  Just try and remember all the good things about him.  He had a very positive impact on you, so emulate his leadership style and keep his memory alive.  You're being a loyal friend and fellow Marine by posting your thought and feelings about him.  Well done.

I lost a very good Marine friend in the Beirut bombing on 23 OCT 1983, 1stSgt Tandy Wells.  We were Drill Instructors in 1st RTBn, MCRD, PISC in the early seventies.  Tandy was a good friend, a great Marine and Drill Instructor.  I was on terminal leave for retirement when I got the news.  I immediately wanted to reenlist and go "get some," but I was already obligated to a civilian position and couldn't.  It still pisses me off when I think about it and makes me want to do something violent, if you know what I mean?  I know the loss of friends and fellow Marines go with the duty, but it sucks.

Thanks for posting this thread.  Ooorah Devil Dog!!

Semper Fi,

1stSgt Malcolm W. Stewart, USMC (Ret)

[101st501]

I to served in Iraq from March 2003 to February 2004.  We were fortunate to not lose anyone in our section.  About three years ago, my good friend, who had gotten out of the service died suddenly.  He was only 32 I think.  He had a stroke.  To have gone through what we did and then to die that way was such a shock.  His name was Garett Todd McCauley, from Kansas.  I still think about him and miss him to this day.

[Tail Feathers]

We owe our fallen soldiers a debt that we can't fully repay.  We should be grateful, and remember them and their sacrifice as long as we live.

[tomstopper]

We owe our fallen soldiers a debt that we can't fully repay.  We should be grateful, and remember them and their sacrifice as long as we live.

Totally agree. Thanks guys for your understanding and I am sorry for you in regards to the friends that you have lost also. War and the military in general builds friendships/bonds that most will never understand and losing just one of these impacts our lives forever in one way or another. God Bless.

[TrackeySauresRex]

We owe our fallen soldiers a debt that we can't fully repay.  We should be grateful, and remember them and their sacrifice as long as we live.

Thank You

[owlhoot]

We owe our fallen soldiers a debt that we can't fully repay.  We should be grateful, and remember them and their sacrifice as long as we live.

[mgm1955]

Thanks to all who have served.

[wmn2]

Man reading this almost brought tears to my eyes. Lt. McPhillips sounds like a great man and great Marine. People don't understand how close you become to the guys you serve with. Most of the ones I served with know things about me that no one else on the face of this earth know.I'm sorry to hear about the loss, but I commend you on letting everyone you can, know about the type of man he was. My best friend from the Marines was killed in 2010 when a gas leak at his house exploded. I wouldn't want anyone to have to feel that kind of loss. I can say with a lot of certainty, that after losing LCpl Roeder, I haven't and probably will never have a friend that close again. The thought of having to go through that again is too much for me. We went to SOI together in 2008, deployed together in 2009, we were in the same platoon, same fireteam. He and I were inseparable.

[Dr Juice]

Thank you for sharing your story and your service to our great . As mentioned, since only ~.06% of our citizens serve in the military, many do not understand the bond we have as brothers and sisters. At the end of the day, as long as it is accepted and we are appreciated for our service is all that matters. Sorry for your loss of a great friend and leader. 

[mbecnel]

Thanks to all that have served, are serving or will serve. Because of what you do, we can do what we do

God Bless

[jed clampett]

Thanks to all that have served, are serving or will serve. Because of what you do, we can do what we do

God Bless

.                 

[OldSchool]

I'm sorry to hear that Nick. Lt Brian McPhillips sounds like he was a good leader, a good man and a good friend. Thank you for your service Lt. McPhillips. God bless you, your family and friends.

Thank you for your service Nick and thank you others for yours also. May God bless you all.

Bob