A little shooting !! FUN !!

David Sotelo: Rest in peace my brother.

Today, I recieved terrible news. I was informed that a good friend of mine had been killed in a training accident. David Sotelo was a US Navy Hospital Corpsman assigned to 3rd LAR in 29 Palms. I met Dave when he was just an HA (Hospitalman Apprentice E-2) back in 2002. I was truly inspired by his enthusiasm for the Navy. He was always going out of his way to make himself a better Corpsman. He attended advanced classes, rifle and pistol rages, and served as a safety Corpsman for other units on his days off. Because he showed so much motivation, I took every opportunity to help mold him into the "Green Side Doc" he eventually became. Dave's ultimate ambition was to be a SEAL. I knew without a doubt that he was going to do it. He had every single attribute I imagine a SEAL would need. He made me want to be a better Doc. A few days before I left for Iraq, he and his girlfriend stopped by my home and we were able to catch up. He showed me photos of his deployment to Iraq and one of he and my self at his graduation from Field Medical Service School.

I am proud to have known David, I am also proud that we were brothers as Corpsmen, but I am most proud to call him a friend.

We will miss you brother. Take care of our Marines up there!

By the rivers of Babylon.......

We all know the song, but I actually got to walk among the ruins of Babylon. It was truly AMAZING. I stood next to the Ishtar gate where Alexander the Great once stood. AND...I got to reenlist in the Navy for another six years next to statue of the Lion of Babylon. You could just feel the history as you walked around. It is one of those experiences you take with you and remember for the rest of your life.

Happy B-Day MENG!!!