Gary Palmer: We are still Americans

  In all of America's wars during my lifetime, I had never personally known someone killed in action... until April 28th. On that day, in the Helmand province of Afghanistan, Lance Corporal Thomas Rivers, Jr. gave his last full measure of devotion. Rivers was a team leader with 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines Regiment.

  That morning, his father Tom had just finished his morning Bible study and had prayed for Thomas as he did every morning. Just after 7am, he was in the kitchen making coffee when he heard the sound of a car door shut in front of his home. When he looked out, he saw three Marines walking to his front door.