Loss of a Friend, a Brave Soldier

I wrote two days ago, "I feel lucky to have never endured or known anyone who has been involved in such a mass tragedy."
I spoke too soon, later that night I choked on my words- literally. The news of an old friend of mine being killed in the Iraq War was brought to my attention. This was a person I hadn't talked to in some time, yet the pain was no different than losing anyone I have cared for. It makes me MAD that a sweet person with so much to live for died so young; an honest to goodness nice guy, with a wife and little boy left behind.
My friend died serving his country. He went to war for people like me, who could never imagine going over there; who would never be able to handle such a situation. He is the first person I know personally to die in the War. For his plight, I admire his courage and strength with all that I am.
This is a War I strongly disagreed with from the get go; a War that continues, with not even a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. How many more people have to die? How many more friends, family members, and loved ones? Oh, and why are we over there again anyway? I plainly have no clue.
My friend was the second person to pass in the War from Sonoma County this month. He was a happy guy, who used to ride his bike over with friends when we were freshmen in high school. We’d do innocent, adolescent things like walk places around town and hang out in my mom’s backyard. I always enjoyed that when he spoke he had something interesting to say; it was never just to blab or for filler. If he was talking, I knew I should listen because it was going to be funny and/or thoughtful.
Watching his family and close group of friends go through this is absolute agony. Having lost a dear friend to violence in an isolated incident, at the hands of two bouncers, last fall, this feeling of helplessness is all too familiar. The idea of burying another one of my friends is almost too much for me to bear. Yet, with as much respect as I have for these people I wouldn't miss it for the world. It has become all too real to me that life can be ended at the drop of a dime. It reminds me that each day is precious and that I should appreciate the people in my life as much as I can.
For Kawika, my friend, the fallen solider, I hold solemn gratitude and the utmost respect for. For Dave, my friend, the victim of what I believe to this day to be a wrongful death last fall, the same. Both of you touched my life, were taken too soon, and will never be forgotten. "To all my friends/Present past and beyond to all those who weren't with us too long/Life is the most precious thing that you can lose/While you were here the fun was never ending/Laugh a minute was only the beginning..." -Pennywise, from the song, "Bro Hymn."
I love you- my bros forever. Rest in Peace.