Timothy J Steele

West Point, 2009

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Adam Nordin on May 29, 2023:

Tim, Over a year now without a war. It's almost bitter-sweet. We spent so much time thinking about the war we were 'heading back to' that we're struggling to think about the war 'we need to be ready for. You would remember COL Ken Mintz. He was the 1-32 IN battalion commander, the sister battalion to yours. He retired recently, and decided to walk across the US to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer and veterans battling mental illness. I had a unique opportunity to walk about 18 miles with him in California. We talked a lot about Kandahar. He remembered you and your patrol. He stays in close contact with families and soldiers from that deployment- a real soldier's soldier who is true to 'never leave a fallen comrade'. Talking with COL Mintz was like reflecting on a dream. I wasn't on that deployment for long, but I remember the hurt and pain on the faces of everyone in that brigade when I arrived. So much suffering in those years. With that chapter complete, I feel we are just setting up the next chapter. When or where is hard to say, but conflict is afoot. But, we are strengthened for having walked in the presence of men like you. And we will carry that strength to the next battleground. Though you are not here with us, you are never forgotten. Rest well, Brother. -Adam

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