SSgt Burton wrote:
...I considered it, but realized it just wasn't feasible on such short notice. Then Chris was cremated. It all happened so fast.
Same here. It had just happened way too fast.
SSgt Burton wrote:
I drank a toast to Chris on the Friday after at 9pm my time (which was 6pm in Colorado- the time of the co-ordinated toast to Chris). And I gave up alcohol back in '98. I guess it was my personal goodbye.
I don't really drink either, so I stopped off at my dad's place (he's always got a fully stocked cellar) after work and had him pour me a pint of rum. I know we were all hurting inside, but I felt Rex was hurting just a little bit more than the rest of us. So with my drink in hand I decided to give Rex a call at around the time we were all to raise our glasses to Chris. It still seemed so surreal to me, and Chris's death didn't really hit me again until we started talking about him.
SSgt Burton wrote:
Man I miss him.
Roger that my brother.
Chris touched more lives than I think even he realized. I am extremely thankful to have known the man for even the short time that I did. My memories of him will always be with me, as are the memories that I continue to personally build with many of you.