I have seen grown men cry. Often it is the result of a "concussive event" - something so devastating or earth shaking that its impact is like being hit in a vital part. The event has to be of sufficient weight that it  feels like an emotional punch in the chest. I have cried like that myself. Losing a friend who played the role of an active listener to my struggles was once the cause. One time it was the betrayal of friends who simply walked away. I cried like the psalmist must have cried at tragic turns.

There are other kinds of tears though. One is the sound of old men weeping. It is to me one of the most mournful sounds imaginable. What could take the joy out a life well lived, with significant achievements like faithfulness in marriage and raising a family? It is often one of those concussive events that will not let go. It keeps hanging on and punching you long after it should have let go. The Boston Globe ran a story of one of these kinds of events. The story of Dan Galvin is moving beyond words and simply told. I hope you'll take the time to read it at The salute of a survivor. My hat is off to one of my Leatherneck friends (Gary Alexander) for tipping me off to this one. He provides weapons grade blogging (not for the faint of heart or young ears as it is occasionally profane, even if accurate) at leatherneckm31. I wouldn't otherwise read the Boston Globe unless he recommended it - though I believe it normally makes an excellent bird cage liner.

If the story grabs you, Gary provides an update on the USS Quincy at this blog which also reports on the death of Robert Novak. Scroll down and start reading at "Revenge" (in bold).