Washington Post:
Virginia to hold day of mourning for Navy SEALs, others killed in Afghanistan
By Anita Kumar
Gov. Bob McDonnell said that Friday will be a day of mourning for the 30 Americans — including Navy SEALs with ties to Virginia — who died in Afghanistan after Taliban forces shot down their helicopter last weekend.
All state flags will be flown at half-staff from dawn to dusk Friday.
McDonnell (R) asked Virginians to donate money to organizations, such as the Navy SEAL Foundation, that provide support and financial assistance beyond that provided by the Defense Department. Other organizations that residents are encouraged to assist include the Armed Forces Relief Trust, Special Operations Warrior Foundation and Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation.
“The human impact of the loss of these servicemen upon their families, their units, and the Virginia military community are profound,” McDonnell said. “It is with a heavy heart that I ask all Virginians to join me in a day of mourning and remembrance for those who lost their lives defending our country and to offer their support and thanks to the families and military community they left behind.”
Hopefully this day of mourning will include all Virginians who have lost their lives in Iraq or Afghanistan. Perhaps it is time. To not include them somehow minimizes the ultimate price other Virginia troops have paid since the post 9-11 wars have been waged. That sure isn’t the message we want to send from Virginia.
Virginia has a long military history that includes all 4 branches of the service.