Remembering SSG Newman
I've been meaning to write this post for nearly a month now. SSG Clint Newman died north of Deh Rawod in central Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee on February 13th. The loss of SSG Newman has been the hardest so far for all of us. Having been with the 321st for several years, Clint was a close friend to many there and part of the core group that made the 321st what it was.
I remember my first day at the unit when I was still a pre-Basic recruit; an outsider who knew absolutely noone. Clint was the first person to speak to me, the first person to make me feel comfortable; to go out of his way to make me feel welcome. When I took a diagonstic fitness test (APFT) just before basic, and wasn't in the shape I am now, Clint ran the last two laps with me when I was starting to slow down. I remember being so struck by his quiet decency, grace and kindness that I asked him jokingly: "Were you a Boy Scout when you were a kid?" He was a good man, and a good friend who made every life better that he came in contact with.
His official Special Operations Command notice and biography can be found at the SOC website.
For anyone interested in doing something on behalf of SSG Clinton Newman, his family has suggested giving a donation in his name to the Fisher House. For those of you not familiar with the Fisher House, it is an organization that houses military families while their loved ones are in military hospitals. There are volunteers
that cook meals and help the families in any way they can. This really eases the burdens for the families as they care for their ill or wounded military family member.
The address to the Fisher House at Fort Sam is:
Manager
Fisher House
3623 George C. Beach Road
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
4 Comments:
Fortunate Son -
Please accept my condolences for the loss of your colleague and friend. He sounds like a great guy! He reminds me of my son's recruiter. I'm sure he was a fine soldier and was a blessing to his family and friends. Thank you for introducing him to me. :-)
May God bless you and his family as you grieve the loss of his fellowship in this life.
America is divinely blessed indeed to be gifted with so many noble sons like SSgt Newman and yourself, "Fortunate Son"!
Truly an American Hero.
Please accept my very belated condolences on the loss of your friend and fellow soldier. I am so very sorry for his taking. He sounds like he was a wonderful person and the pain even now with the passage of some time will still be felt. This is America's loss too and we are diminished for the fact hs is no longer among us.
SSG Newman is now, however, in a place of joy and peace and you will see him again when your course is done. They play reveille in Heaven when ever a hero comes home. There is no sorrow there. God bless you and his family always.
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