Michael Yon

Online Magazine

 
  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
Home Archives Archives 2008 Great Americans: David Leimbach Comes Home

Great Americans: David Leimbach Comes Home

E-mail Print

On Memorial Day, I published an email from Command Sergeant Major Jeffrey Mellinger describing the memorial in Afghanistan for Spc David L. Leimbach.

When I published that tribute, I didn't know just how dedicated this Great American was. I've been in communication with a member of David's family who told me that David had done a tour in Afghanistan with the South Carolina National Guard, yet when their tour ended, 120 members of the Guard unit volunteered to stay behind in Afghanistan or go to Iraq. David was one of those soldiers. Please see this article for more: http://www.militarycity.com/valor/3551124.html


America has lost David in body, but his spirit and the spirit of the other 119 soldiers resonates deeply with me. These are the kind of soldiers I'm thinking of when people ask me how morale is, and I say, I can't explain it, but despite the extreme pressures of multiple deployments, our combat soldiers' morale remains high. David and his comrades had done their duty. They knew the risks. And they still volunteered to return to combat. These are the kind of men and women I most like to be around and write about. I did not know David personally, but reading about him, I feel as if I know him well. The South Carolina National Guard must be some unit to have soldiers like David Leimbach, and 119 others who keep on keeping on.


David will be laid to rest in South Carolina on Monday. Please click here for more information. www.EngleFoundation.org


My condolences to the family of this Great American, and to his fellow soldiers in the South Carolina National Guard. David was lost facing down those who would do us harm. His courage and loyalty are an inspiration to us all.

Please support this mission by making a direct contribution. Without your support, the mission will end. Thank you for helping me tell the full story of the struggle for Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

login