Brian Black was the kid in Puyallup, Washington with boundless potential, always striving to do more.

He excelled in the classroom and, get this, both on the wrestling mat and at state chess tournaments, go figure.

And when he grew up, he took his potential to the United

States Army where Staff Sergeant Brian Black conquered Ranger School and Special Forces selection.

Sergeant Black was not just a warrior and a protector, he was a healer. As a Green Beret and the

elite third group, he served as a medic, always encouraging and caring for those about him.

And on October 4th, Sergeant Black was killed in these years.

Our heart's ache for his wife, Michelle, and for his sons, Ezekiel and Isaac, and for his parents, Hank and Karen.

Their son, husband, father, friend, and patriot will be remembered.

Precious few among us dedicate our God-given ability to protection of our country.

But as Sergeant Black's father, Hank, so eloquently said,

some people could, would, should, others do, and Brian did.

Most Americans don't know what happens when we lose one of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, a Coast Guardsman in combat.

So let me tell you what happens.

They're buddies, wrapped them up in whatever passes as a shroud,

puts them on a helicopter as a routine, and sends them home.

Their first stop along the way is when they're packed an ice,

typically at the airhead,

and then they're flown to use of Europe,

where they're then packed an ice again

and flown to Dover Air Force Base, where Dover takes care of the remains,

and bombs them, meticulously dresses them in their uniform, with the medals that they've earned,

...