Veterans Lose Lives in Tragic Accident

Could you imagine going on a couple of combat tours, making it home safe, then to die in a train accident in the United States? Yes, this really happened. A float that was heading to a parade on Thursday in Midland, Texas was hit by a freight train.

It was the second float carrying Vets that ignored the warning signs of the railroad crossing. Lead investigator Robert Accetta with the National Transportation Safety Board said, "Once the crossing becomes active, people should stop," this was stated at a news conference Saturday afternoon. The accident is still under investigation stated by Mark Rosekind, another member of the NTSB.

This crucial mistake by the driver cost the lives of four Veterans and 16 others injured. The only good thing about this was that the other float with more Veterans on it took immediate action and began working on the injured. If they had not been there, the chance of more deaths could have been imminent. Sometimes just reassuring an injured person while you wait on rescuers could be the difference between life and death.

This parade has been going on for nine years and the Veterans were to be honored for their sacrifices they made for our country. There was a crowd of people waiting on their arrival waving American flags. This ended up being a terrible and emotional event for all parties involved; the community and the families especially. 

The soldiers who were lost in the accident were: Marine Chief Warrant Officer 3 Gary Stouffer, 37; Army Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Boivin, 47; Army Sgt Joshua Michael, 34; and Army Sgt. Maj. William Lubbers, 43.

I read about soldiers all the time who lose their lives to accidents in the states even after numerous combat deployments. This is such a shame and it makes me think twice about how fragile life is. It is not predictable when we will leave this earth for good thus why I never take my life for granted. I have been on numerous deployments overseas and felt as if I have escaped death on more than one occasion. I encourage everyone who reads this to take a moment and think.  Never take your life for granted because it can be stripped away at any moment and live your life to its fullest.

Read more on this article at: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/11/18/lights-flashed-before-truck-entered-crossing-in-train-crash-officials-say/