Gone too soon...Not only will we "not forget" but we will also learn...

 

On July 30, 2020, 8 Marines and a Sailor with Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, lost their lives during an assault amphibious vehicle training mishap off the coast of Southern California.
During this one year anniversary we take an extra pause to reflect on the sacrifice and bravery of our brothers. We will never forget Corporal Wesley A. Rodd, Corporal Cesar A. Villanueva, Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (Fleet Marine Force) Christopher Gnem, Lance Corporal Marco A. Barranco, Lance Corporal Jack-Ryan Ostrovsky, Lance Corporal Guillermo S. Perez, Lance Corporal Chase D. Sweetwood, Private First Class Bryan J. Baltierra, and Private First Class Evan A. Bath.

I hope we learn! Not forgetting is not enough. Lessons learned must be applied to every tragedy. Combat is one thing. Training? It's inherently dangerous but we should do our best to minimize it.