Lost Lives in the Chaos

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As I sit here, I ponder the innocent lives lost. Why am I here and not my older brother that never had the privledge of gasping for air after a long run. A run that you never thought would be possible. But you "survived" it. You even say that "I almost died back there." Brother, you will never get to experience life, and for that, I am sorry for you. My mind drifts to the military kids who are dying right now alongside the opposing force. How sad is it to never have the chance of getting high with friends, laughing your asses off. While I laugh, you die. I think about my friend in the 12th grade. We met in weightlifting class. He was new in town, and it seemed like I was his only friend. I would give him rides home. We would train together before going to Basic Training. I remember him speaking on his regret of joining the Marines. He must have realized the lies his recruitiers had told him. He said he could have made the same salary by staying at his supermarket job. I wonder if he is still alive at times. The importance of remembering an old friend's name. Or maybe not...