The following photos are in order as they appear in the book
My Senior Drill Instructor presenting me with the Eagle Globe and Anchor after having double hip fracture surgery the week of boot camp graduation.
Nick and I partying at UNCW with our friends Matt and Max.
LAV-AT (anti-tank variant)
LAV-25
Nick and I at Camp Leatherneck before the push down south.
Charlie Co. staged and ready to head south for the start of Operation Khanjar.
Charlie Co. approaching the castle, the entrance of the castle, and my gunner “WIllie” standing in front of it.
Patrolling the town of Khan Neshin and sitting outside of it on overwatch.
View of the Helmand River from the elevated terrain near COP Payne and Charlie Co. preparing to cross the river.
Charlie Co. swimming in the Helmand River after weeks without showering.
from left to right MSGT. Jerome Hatfield and LCPL. Pedro Barboza-Flores. Both killed in action on 7/13/2009 by the same Improvised explosive device in Khan Neshin Afghanistan.
Effects of a medium-sized improvised explosive device on an LAV-25.
Sgt. Ryan Lane, killed in action on 7/23/2009 by a mortar attack at Khan Neshin Castle Afghanistan.
Nick’s procession on its way to the high school, reuniting with my mom and sister Lynsey, and two Marines guarding Nick’s coffin as the public pays their respects.
CPL. Nicholas Xiarhos, killed in action by an improvised explosive device on 7/23/2009 in Garmsir Afghanistan.
Reading my eulogy for Nick that I had written in Afghanistan days earlier with no thought of ever being able to read it in person.
Nick being escorted to the National Cemetery and his flag being prepared for final presentation to his family.
Steve Xiarhos saying goodbye to his son and Nick’s flag being presented to him and Nick’s mother Lisa.
Paying my final respects to my friend Nick Xiarhos.
GYSGT. Adam Benjamin killed in action on 8/18/2009 while attempting to disarm an improvised explosive device south of Khan Neshin Afghanistan.
COP South Station and one of its outer guard posts.
Navy Corpsman Petty Officer 3rd Class Benjamin Castiglione.
LCPL. Christopher Baltazar Jr.
LCPL. Christopher Fowlkes.
