Yesterday was a somber day,  I started my Morning working on Humvee's, QAQC, the usual second look got me we had two tie rod ends out in the rear, I got the left rear side done and was on my way to putting back together the 2nd one in when the call came in on the radio that we had taken a hit and 4 causality's, no names just battle roster numbers. Already being a overcast morning the sun seemed to in a cinematic kind of way, completely darken by a thicker blanket of darker clouds. I was rushed to put the vehicle back together, to my luck the jack ran out of air so I was force to use a sledge hammer to knock the jack stands out from under the 4k lb truck, so the crew could respond to the scene it. Shortly later, we were all called into the office for a meeting, it was confirmed that what was said on the radio was true, The colonel's truck had been hi,t 4 causality's, including the colonel himself.  At this time I had known that some one close to me was in that truck because I had two friends that both drove for both colonels, people were asked to volunteer for the angel flight detail I knew immediately that I had to volunteer, after we were released we were instructed to change into clean uniforms and meet up, with 3/8 up at the TOC, I found out from my buddy Spaulding who also is in C co that it was indeed true Jex was on the list, Light rain started to fall. Crazy how this weather stuff only just doesn't happen in the movies. They released the us and said the colonels PSD will take care of the detail. Apon returning to the company we had a informal formation was being assembled to confirm the names on the list and give better detail on what had happend, as for I know the full detail of the story and what happened when, I do not wish to share, not for my sake but for the respect of the family's who may or may not want that public information. As we were released from our informal formation, I had to get on that detail some how, I pulled Top aside and told about jex, and how I felt that it was best that I help out in any way or form, he told me that it was okay if I come along with him to the flight pad and he would see if he could find a place to put me in. we later did 3 hours of rehearsal for the ceremony, and went back to our rooms to wait for the C17 to arrive, we were on call I knew that the play wouldn't arive to late night early morning but still I couldn't sleep, finally at 0230 the message came in plane touch down 0500, and we all moved out to the air field to stage and get ready, my job was to escort the ambulance vans, that held the 4 caskets, make sure they knew were to go to load the heroes and stop any traffic impeding with the ceremony, after watching the 4 caskets roll out it was crazy to think in all of those caskets, are 4 honored untimely deaths, and one of who I was good friends, and lived with. The whole ceremony was quite amazing for 2-3 hours of rehearsal one dry run.
            Well a little about Jex he was a good guy, He always called me Big guy even though he was taller and older than me, Jex was always out and about and meeting people, making friends,  good natured best intentions, I remember one story he told me he saved, a feeder mouse from one of his friends, that would torcher the ones his snakes didn't eat he told me he brought it back to life after his friend had drown the small creature, kinda a joke he stared to chest compressions Like in CPR, and the dang thing lived again. He secretly threw it in his pocket, and decided it was a sign to let him live. we kept the mouse in our room in a drawer, I know it doesn't sound to sanitary, but we cleaned up after him everyday was a source of entertainment, bought him those little ball things let him roam in our tiny room all night wake up to find that he had gotten caught on some cord or something, brought him lil somethings back from the defact. Jex was one of those guys you didn't forget him once you met him and you never had to find nice things to say about him. Well Jex if they have internet in were ever your at now, its my turn to say, I'll see you later big guy