Ted the Penguin

R.I.P. Sam…

On October 14th, 2005, Sam Boswell was killed in Iraq when his armored vehicle was struck from behind by an 18-wheeler sparking a fire and detonating ammunition. The Washington Post reported, “… according to the Defense Department, the accident happened while the unit was conducting convoy operations in Taji, just north of Baghdad.”

I’ve gone to school with Sam since I was 5 or 6; we were never best of buds, and occasionally got into scuffles here and there, but I think I could still consider him a friend. The only thing that went through my head when I read that he had been killed was the memory of a time back in 4th grade, we were all outside on the field for recess and playing soccer. I was never very good at it, but it was a lot of fun just the same. The ball had been kicked in my direction and I ran up to it and was about to kick it back towards the other goal but I slipped on a patch of mud and fell flat on my ass. Looking back on it, probably pretty funny to watch, but I was mortified as everyone around started to laugh at me. Sam was the only one who didn’t, he came up, offered me a hand and said something about teaching the mud a lesson, all with that silly smile of his on his face.

Rest in peace Sam, you won’t be forgotten.

As on CNN, 3/5ths of the way down the page. Notes from friends and family.