1LT Todd Weaver 101st Abn (AASLT) 2ND BN 502NDINF REG KIA 09 SEPTEMBER 2010

Since I have been blogging more constantly lately, I knew that eventually this day would come.  They day that I would have to explain to all my readers why I am the way I am.  Sure my parents, teachers and mentors helped mold me to who i am, but those are minute examples compared to how my life has changed in the past year.  Maturity is an interesting word.  People who have it, know it, and those that don't tend to attribute some form of themselves to having it.  Ie.  I am mature when I am at work, or I am mature around a lower ranker soldier. Maturity is one of the most inflated human words that I know.  Ask a man, "how mature are you."  surely the response will center around an insight or two to gain your trust and then leave with a , "Well to be honest I think i am more mature than the people I meet."  People inherently do not want to be immature.  So in any situation where a person doesn't want to be perceived a certain way, you can lie.

I myself always considered myself a mature young man, who understood the social norms and cultural nuances.  I was a college graduate of a distinct university and a leader amongst men.  Oh course I was mature.  But on September 9, 2010 my total incompetence in this field was realized and my world was crushed.

The Battalion Commander ended the briefing with a "oh and" something that always signifies an additional assignment and actually more interesting than any other part of the mission.  He said, " Brigade has asked for two Ranger qualified platoon leaders to move over to our field artillery units in the Arghndab River Valley, to take over platoons. "   Our field artillery unit there was having severe issues at the soldier and leader level.  Men going on patrol in tennis shoes, no body armor on, un armed, crazyness.  After the meeting the battalion commander walked off, and without asking his commanding officer Jake Ivey and Todd Weaver made a b line for the Battalion Commander.  They volunteered themmselves for this new and quite frankly more dangerous session. Stop, go back, understand.  They VOLUNTEERED to go on this mission, not because they were war junkies, but because they saw soldiers in need of leadership guidance.

48 hours later Todd and Jake were loaded on a helicopter.  My two best friends, that had been sleeping in the bed next to me for the past 3 months were now about to leave and I was not sure when I would see them again.  I shook there hands and they flew off into the dessert.  I thought nothing of it, just happy they had gotten to lead soldiers again in combat and walked away.

We rarely heard from them for the next month, and tried to send them supplies when we could.  I would frequently check updates on the computer just to ensure Todd and Jake were safe.  I knew they were involved in some serious fighting but still going hard.  I talked to Emma a couple of times online trying to encourage her how low the danger level was.

2300 US eastern time 0730 Kandahar time September 9, 2010
A morning patrol had been sent out from the FOB and LT Weaver was at the lead.  As always he was showing the soldiers how to more properly do there job.  He had an air about him that encouraged learning.  He rairly belittled a soldier or made them feel unappreciated.  Todd's complete leadership philosophy can be summed up into one phrase, "Lead from the front"  Todd was ultra competitive and wanted to be the best at everything.  Given this, he had to be the best at everything and lead from the front for his men.

The platoon he took over was still trying to learn how to run through normal raid and ambush operations on the morning of the 9th.  1LT Weaver as he did on multiple patrols moved forward to see what the hold up was.  He solved the situation and decided ok, ill stay up here to help you guys out.  1LT Weaver, the senior most ranking soldier in the platoon, was now running point aka lead man.  He was going to set in a gun position to cut off the Taliban from fixing coordinated attacks in a known area.  As he stepped forward to clear the area, he stepped on a massive IED that sent his body into the air.  In fact there is a disgusting youtube video that was taken after this accident where all his men are in a circle weeping from his loss. Weeping, grown men, 5 or 6 of them openly crying on the battlefield over the loss of there great commander. I cant believe someone would tape that.  Mixed reports began to flood in about what was going on, the first one said we have a triple amputee and he needs help soon.  The next report transitioned to we have an american hero on the ground her (aka dead us soldier).  I was not there so I have no clue how exactly Todd passed away, yes I know the pressure plate and the tiny details but the others have been lost.

When I was told about this at my FOB some 20 miles away, I literally went into shock.  I lost control of all my bodily functions and tears ran down my face uncontrollably.  I walked to the company TOC to meet Bryson, the whole way having to wipe tears from my eyes.  I remember being like a four year old who was crying so hard he couldnt breath.  I was torn apart and couldnt comprehend the knowledege that had just been told to me.  Bryson and I had worked with Todd for almost two years at this point.  We embraced in a tear full hug and then heard pop shots over the wall.  We grabbed our weapons, ran up, and searched for any thing remotely suspicious to take our sadness and anger out on.  We saw nothing, fell back to the TOC, and in a tear full embrace, got lost for a minute or hour or two.

Todd went to William and Mary, was a cowboys fan and loved life in America.  I am single but i have seen a lot of young couples interact.  Todd loved his little daughter Kiley and loved his wife Emma so much.  He loved his job so much, he was willing to volunteer to taken on a second leadership roll in the worst part of the country to help out a fellow unit.  It was his second deployment, as an enlisted soldier he was in Iraq for a while.  Funny story of during his R and R he ran out in a pouring rainstorm to kiss Emma and the rest is history.  The man made minimal mistakes and was hardfast in his decision making, but all that aside his best attribute was how much he cared, about his job and about people.

I still think about Todd everyday.  I cry from day to day when I think about the idea that I will never see my friend again.  I cry thinking about how Kiley will barely have ever known her Dad.  And I cry because id do anything to change what happened.  There is no question, Todd was ten times the Man that I was or may ever be.  I would gladly trade with him if it allowed the betterment of his family and his daughter.

This week, admits all the 9/11 celebrations please think about Todd Weaver who passed away today September 9, 2010 in Kandahar.  He was an incredible husband, father, and a great friend.  My only regret is that more people in this world never got to know the truly incredible guy he was.  I love you Todd.