Aftermath of a senseless act.

WASHINGTON (Sept. 17, 2013) Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, right, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert, Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus, and Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff render honors during a wreath laying ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Arif Patani/Released) U.S. Navy

I am no one special. Just a simple United States Sailor.  The ceremony pictured above, conducted in Washington, DC, at our Navy Memorial is a fitting tribute to those who were senselessly killed yesterday at the Washington Navy Yard. I don't understand such violence.

I am just a simple United States Sailor. I served in ships. The ships were armored and armed. They had the most advanced systems in the world. They were designed to fight to protect American lives and the lives of our allies. I was taught that the enemy would present himself before us and we would recognize him when he threatened us. We could fight him at sea, and win. Some might perish in the fight but, not due to lack of training or equipment. This was an honorable undertaking.

This enemy came, not in a ship. Not as an agent of a foreign land. He came as a thief. Disguised as a friend. He killed friends. He had no Honor. I'm just a simple United States Sailor and I do NOT UNDERSTAND!

But, in the end I, like all Sailors, carry on. I received a call this afternoon from one of my doctors. She is a fine Naval Officer. A Captain. She was at her post, performing her duty as were the rest of the Sailors, Marines,  Coast Guardsmen, Airmen and Soldiers on duty daily. They too do not understand.

So, as is my habit, I think. Why am I so worried about trying to understand a senseless act? We are conditioned to want to understand why things happen. But, sometime things happen that are not understandable. Once I realized this fact, I was able to gain a calm. Don't try to understand the senseless action of a madman.   Instead, celebrate.

Yes, celebrate. The lives of the fallen are worth so much more than the perpetrator. He was a thief. He stole life, our most precious gift was ripped from 12 who never did harm. Celebrate the lives of the 12.

As I did yesterday, and as I will do every day, I will remember the 12 fallen. I will remember  those in uniform and out, who quietly go about their lives, doing their duty. As they continue to protect each of us, we will keep them safe in our hearts. 

That is something that I DO UNDERSTAND.