Thanks all. I wish there was anything to be done or said.

Jesus Christ, Steph! I'm numb, don't know what to say. Nothing I say will seem sincere, but you have my deep condolences and I hope you and your family can get through this. That's... yeah. I... words fail me. Keep strong, let us know if you need anything.

So sorry to hear that, WWWP.

WWWP, there are no words. I am so sorry for what you're dealing with. Obviously reach out if need be, but just know we're all here for support if you need us.

Very sorry for your loss Steph. I don't understand how it can happen that 19 year old kids are sent to war but that's the world we live in.

I don't understand why people join the army in the U.S., they offer some kind of attractive compensation? In exchange for the possibility of being killed?

Free college, chance to see the world, patriotic daydreams. And most people don't even get near combat. All that with the absurd military cult in this country that normalizes joining the military as just another job opportunity and lots of people don't even think twice about it.

I was actually talking about this with my coworker today. It's sad that joining the military comes off as this glorious way to get your life sorted and a lot of people come out worse as a result. I totally get it if you believe it's what you meant to do like it runs in the family etc, but I will personally never be convinced that joining the military is a good idea. But I'm me. I don't feel its fair to judge others who join as there are various reasons. Still sucks all the same tho.

Assuming you live through your contract you are entitled to all kinds of benefits, vocational training/education, housing assistance, etc. You know, things normal Americans can't afford. In my brother's case he was recruited right out of high school because army recruiters roam the halls of high schools looking for kids with no better option, and they have quotas to fill. You can enroll before you graduate/before you're 18 with a parent signature, by the way. My brother was convinced he was going to train in specialized weaponry and end up some elite CIA agent based on however his recruiter spun it to him.The things kids will believe, am I right? Oh yeah, then the recruiter gets a bonus for each new enrollment. They work on commission, if you will.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/27/w...ne-killed.html

It's cute how my dad painted it. Like Rylee was some ****ing patriot. As if he himself didn't fail the psychological screening component of basic training and has been trying to compensate for it through a victim complex and romantic cowboy poetry ever since. As if he didn't push Rylee toward the Marines for the sheer badassery since childhood.

Anyway my brother made the NYT. Neat. I guess his death really did mean something.

There are many things wrong with American society, raising kids to grow up dreaming of joining the army, using guns and risking their lives (for whatever reason) is definitely one of them. I sure as hell wouldn't do it, regardless of the benefits.

But anyways, words are meaningless now, there is only the tragedy and the pain and the loss. And I hope you and your family will find the strength to get through it all.

Rest in peace Rylee.