On the morning of February 15, 2010, I stood with Kyle Coutu and several others from Lima Company and shared a few minutes smoking cigarettes, laughing, and celebrating Kyle’s 20th birthday by sticking matches into an expired cliff bar and quietly singing happy birthday around an open trash fire. Despite being in the midst of participating in Operation Moshtarak, which was one of the most hostile and combative operations conducted during the war in Afghanistan, I never imagined that would be the last time we would see one another. Kyle Coutu was my friend, he was my former rack mate at Marine Recruit Depot, Parris Island, and he was one of the men I was fortunate to serve with who died defending this country and the guys to his left and his right. I miss you homie, we all do. Your absence has thought me many things. Perhaps most importantly, how to pick up my bag and move forward regardless of the situation, that forward momentum is the only momentum, and that I have a responsibility to live a purposeful meaningful life for the war fighters we were unable to bring home. To those who knew Kyle as a son, grandson, cousin, nephew, fiancé, teammate, or friend, I am forever sorry for your loss. Kyle Joseph Coutu, KIA 2.18.10, Marjah, Afghanistan 🇺🇸