We buried a family friend yesterday. Sgt. Jakob J. Roelli was killed in action in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. He was 24.
I remember talking to a friend in the late 80’s. He had joined the National Guard to help pay for his college. We thought there was no way he would ever see active duty, because the US was done with war. Vietnam was still fresh, and the Soviet Union was collapsing. He ended up seeing active duty in the first Iraq war.
Now this young man who I’ve known since he was a baby is dead. We’ve been in Afghanistan for ten years. The original intent as I understood it, was to oust the Taliban and bring Osama Bin Laden to justice. I don’t know what our goal is now. I’m sad.
Curiousfarmer 
My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
I’m not sure anyone can articulate what we’re doing at this point.
What a waste. My heart breaks for family and friends…
So sorry.
No man is an island: we all feel the forever-stillness of the fallen young soldier.
My son-in-law is in Afghanistan. I am afraid. The only consolation is that these young men want to do this. It is their choice.
Chris Keller
Oh, that is very sad. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend. I agree that the war seems even more senseless now than when it began and worry about the future of our country, with so many meaningful lives snuffed out in Iraq and Afghanistan.