Aloha everyone,

I was as shocked as y'all when last week a deranged home-grown radicalized terrorist committed an act of domestic terrorism targeting four of our US Marines and one US Navy sailor.  Being retired navy (22 years), and also having assisted recruiters in New Orleans, I can understand the normal feeling of safety in one's own country and the absence of any thoughts of danger.

Five lives were cut short due to the deranged actions of a madman and not enough respect was directed towards them by the administration - flags weren't even lowered until five full days later.  This made me extremely angry, and as I have a four-day weekend this week, I decided to see if I could contribute something myself, but writing something in memory of my fallen comrades-in-arms.

I apologize for the seriousness of the beginning of this post, but every service member should feel safe in their own country, especially at they place of work.  This domestic terrorism assault should never have happened, and it makes me sick that it did.  Let's pray that God assists their families with this terrible tragedy.

I came up with the melody this morning, then decided to add the military drum line and the second violin a bit later.  I like the way it came out, although it sounds just a bit on the quick side.  I may end up playing with the tempo later.  I would rather concentrate on what might have happened in each of their lives later, than the sadness associated with loss of life.  To that end, I wanted it to be upbeat and in a major key. 

I've included the sheet music and an audio file as attachments.  Please take a listen, and if you like it enough, take a gander at playing this, or just let me know what y'all think.