Death of an American Sailor
By Randall Nunn (08/01/05)
On July 15, 2005 our son-in-law, Ben Lund, a Petty Officer First Class in the United States Navy, was killed. He did not die on some dusty street in Baghdad or on some desolate, wind-swept stretch of sand in an Iraqi desert, but in a traffic accident in an American city on his way to work. The devastation to his wife, his family, friends and shipmates was just as great as if he had lost his life from hostile fire in a war zone. In an instant his life was gone and all the plans he and our daughter had made for the future—those for that day, that evening, the coming weekend, the months and years ahead—all were gone. But in the pain and agony that followed, I began to realize the great gift that our men and women in the service give to us all and the daily sacrifices they make that we all might go about our day-to-day lives secure, safe and free.
Ben’s last assignment was on the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. John F. Kennedy. The power and might of that carrier that can be brought to bear against our enemies is truly awesome. But what is equally awesome is the spirit and compassion of the men and women of that great ship when one of their shipmates loses his life in the line of duty. The men and women that we saw and met after that terrible day were an inspiration to all of us. They made us proud that Ben was associated with people such as them in the last days of his life. Ben loved the U.S. Navy and I can fully understand why. The kindness, the love and the compassion that every one of his fellow sailors exhibited cannot easily be described. It was as if we had become a part of a great extended family—the United States Navy. I am sure that what we experienced is not anything extraordinary in one sense but to us it was kindness and generosity with a level of sincerity not often encountered in life. Tragedies such as this occur on a too-frequent basis in this world and I have no doubt that all branches of the United States military respond in similar fashion.
Our family will be eternally indebted to the U.S. Navy for their humanity in a moment of great personal tragedy for us. And yet, it is remarkable to consider that these same men and women must be prepared at any moment to defend us against enemies in a sometimes violent world. That the men and women of our military can be as fine and decent as all we came across during these trying days and yet be prepared to sacrifice all if called upon by our country is a tribute to the basic goodness of the American character. I have nothing but gratitude and praise for the men and women of the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy, the U.S. Navy and the American military.
Ben stood the watch and now that watch will be taken over by others. Ben did his duty for his country, his shipmates, his wife and family. Rest in peace, Ben and know that we will be safe and secure for many years to come as long as the American character shines as brightly as that we saw in every one of your shipmates. God Bless the United States Navy and the United States of America.
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