Teammates,

This Sunday marks the three year anniversary of the day we lost several of

our nation’s finest warriors. On August 16, 2012, a Blackhawk helicopter

(Call-sign: OZZIE 72) supporting a Charlie Platoon, SEAL Team THREE

operation in Afghanistan was shot down by an enemy RPG. All aboard were

killed. Among those lost were SO1 Pat Feeks, SO2 Dave Warsen, EOD1 Sean

Carson, as well as four US Army aircrew, three Afghan Commandos, and a local

national interpreter.

Every year on the anniversary of this day I like to take a moment to honor

their memory and ensure that we do not forget the fallen. I offer the below

snapshots of lives well lived in service to our country.

Pat Feeks was a man that embodied the SEAL Ethos. “Earn your Trident every

day” was a motto that Pat lived. After a vicious fire fight earlier in the

deployment – a fire fight that would shake most average people – Pat’s only

thoughts were of how he could have done things better. This is despite the

fact that by all accounts from his teammates he performed above and beyond

his duties. He was more dedicated to the job than any SEAL I’ve ever met,

and he was GOOD at it. He was handpicked shortly before his death to join

Charlie Platoon to replace other wounded operators due to his competence,

skill, and dedication. It is a fate that has befallen many of our best –

picked for the toughest assignments because they were the best at their job.

Dave Warsen was an outstanding operator and teammate. He cared deeply for

his friends and would do anything to take care of them. Four days before

OZZIE 72 was shot down, Dave was in a CH-47 Chinook helicopter that rolled

over as it attempted to land during a previous operation. Dave narrowly

avoided serious injury, but was shaken by this crash. Despite this, Dave

boarded OZZIE 72 on that fateful morning – not because he wanted to get on

that helicopter, but because he knew he had to in order to provide security

for his teammates on the ground. It was the epitome of a selfless act.

Sean Carson was a fearless EOD operator. He was routinely relied upon to

choose the patrol route through IED infested terrain and he frequently led

the way. Despite several IED strikes on that deployment that resulted in the

deaths and catastrophic injury to several teammates, Sean continued to

ignore the dangers and selflessly seek the most hazardous jobs on the

battlefield. As EOD operators go, he was without equal.

It is easy to be consumed by the daily grind of our jobs. However, I hope

this message serves as a reminder of the importance of our jobs – the end

state of our duties is enabling our bravest men and women to successfully

engage the enemy. These brave men and the virtues they embodied –

selflessness, professionalism, courage – are an example to us all and a

reminder of the privilege it is to live besides such extraordinary human

beings.

Please take a moment this Sunday to remember these warriors and the

sacrifice they made so that we can all live free.

Very Respectfully,

“…a Teammate”