Phillip Isaac Neel

West Point, 2005

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Adam Nordin on May 29, 2023:

Phil, It's been 18 years. I had to pause a moment to stare at the blinking cursor on my screen to re-read those words. 18 years. I saw some photos from my Academy days earlier this year- we were all so young then. It's like the dreams you have during that brief period of time between deep sleep and being fully awake- those dreams are the ones you remember, even though there were many others that night. They happen so fast. My family and I are living in Williamsburg, VA now. I have an Army desk job that gives me loads of family time. The job leaves much to be desired, but IA-'m the most relaxed I've ever been, possibly in decades. I'm fortunate- I get to see my little son grow and to be present for him and my wife. A trade off from the last 17 years of going hard. Real hard. Russia started a war in Ukraine last year. China is in competition with us. Terrorism is low-ish, but domestic mass-shootings are happening more and more. A month or two ago a woman killed young children at an elementary school in Nashville... what is happening? We are no longer engaged in anything like what you saw, but I suspect this calm won't last long. In October I went to California for an exercise. I had an opportunity to walk 18 miles with my battalion commander from Ft Drum as he nearly concluded a 7-month trek by foot across the US. We reflected much about the Army and those we've lost- despite the time that has elapsed, your memories are embedded deep in our psyche. You are not forgotten, Phil. I find myself reflecting on you, and others, frequently. Sadly, the loss of some validates our drive to work hard and prepare ourselves and our formations. In that way, your memories will live on- even in the minds of those you've never met. Rest easy, brother. -Adam

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