Anne Shepard on Spoutible

#DailyPictureTheme #Rough
U.S. Col. James W. Harrison, Jr. planned to retire from active duty in 2006. I lined up an interview at my firm, but he decided to reenlist. He and his interpreter were shot and killed by an Afghani soldier as they were about to meet with Afghani military personnel. RIP

A photo of Jim Harrison's flower bedecked tombstone. Jim was the father of my youngest daughter's boyfriend in college, so we would see one another on occasion when he was stateside. At their 2006 graduation, Jim and I talked about his planned retirement after 20 years. I gave him my business card and told him to send me his resume. We chatted via email several more times while I helped him line up interviews. He emailed me to say he had decided to reenlist because he didn't want to leave the fine young people with whom he served. He was sent to Afghanistan to consult with their military on prisons. On the day of the meeting, both he and his interpreter were shot dead by an Afghani soldier as they parked outside the meeting venue. It was rough because had he stayed stateside, he likely would have lived beyond his 47 years.

06:30 AM - Nov 07, 2023

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@MissAnneQueenSaintFlower

This is such a lovely tribute. My dad was also a full colonel in the US Army, so remembrances like this always move me.

In response to Kathleen F789.

08:24 AM - Nov 07, 2023

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In response to Anne Shepard.

Thank you. I was scrolling through old photos and came across it. It seemed a good time to recall sacrifices made by those who protect us.

08:30 AM - Nov 07, 2023

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