Exactly 8 years ago, I learned that my West Point classmate Chris Goeke was killed in action around Kandahar City, Afghanistan. It was a significant event for me in that it personalized war in a new way. At that point, I was becoming extremely cynical about our continued role in Afghanistan, and this event set me off. It is part of the reason I started AlexTalk.

Coincidentally, someone noticed yesterday that I was wearing a memorial bracelet with Chris’ name. I’m not sure if she realized it was 8 years exactly to the day of his death, but it was a creepy coincidence.

Though we’re on something of a hiatus as I work on other things, it felt important to come here and reflect on that moment 8 years ago. It was when I realized that we have stopped asking ourselves if war is worth it. I realized that people stopped caring about the sacrifices people like Chris make because they believe in this country.

I will not forget.

Pic from Baltimore Sun