Honoring the Sacrifice of America’s Sons and Daughters

The Scout

For fifteen months, I carried the lives of the 32 men I led into combat in Iraq. We were all fortunate to come home to our loved ones. Many of my friends were not so lucky. It is important to me to share their stories with you so their memories stay alive. They each represent what is best about America and her values that inspire so many around the world. Thank you for taking a few moments to read about them.

Mohammed “Roy” Amer Abdulateef

Roy was like a little brother to me. He wasn’t allowed to carry a weapon into combat, but he did his job bravely and faithfully by my side every day. I loved him. I wrote a story about him in the Washington Post some years ago so readers would know him like I did. I found his mom through the story, and, with the help of a lot of lawyers, nonprofits, and Representative Anna Eshoo, I was able to bring his family to the United States just before ISIS took over large swathes of Iraq.

Why it matters: The Iraqis who served with American forces had the most dangerous job. I remember reviewing the files of 22 interpreters who served with American forces in Mosul in early 2005. 19 had been killed by late 2006. They fought with us because they too wanted to be able to live free. It breaks my heart that Roy lost his life, but I hope his story can generate more awareness and appreciation for our local Iraqi allies.

Captain Garrett Slaughter

Garrett was my classmate at Vanderbilt University. He was my Ranger Buddy during Ranger School. He was an absolute beast: All-Army Rugby and a standout track and soccer star in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He used to push me into groups of girls going the other way on campus at Vandy in order to start a conversation. I hated that I never was able to catch onto when he would shove me. He was so mischievous but so charming at the same time that you didn’t care. Everyone always smiled around Garrett. I wouldn’t have my Ranger Tab if not for him. He was a wonderful man. And a great soldier. As tough and driven as they come.

You can: visit his grave at Arlington National Cemetery. I stop by from time to time. It would make me feel better to know he still has visitors.

1st Lieutenant Jeffrey Graham

Jeff was my childhood friend. We drove to Bible Study together during high school in Oklahoma. He went through ROTC at the University of Kentucky. His brother Kevin died, so the Army offered him the opportunity to avoid a combat deployment to Iraq. But, Jeff wouldn’t hear of it. He joined the Army to lead soldiers, and, if they were going to go into harm’s way, he felt that his place as an Officer was in Iraq leading them. He died in Khaldiyah Iraq in February 2004. He had just swapped places with his platoon sergeant, who was married with children, to walk next to the point man in the patrol he was leading. He spotted a roadside bomb on a bridge the patrol was about to cross, and he was killed while moving the men behind him out of harm’s way. Jeff’s fiance posted the letters they exchanged during his time in Iraq. You can read them here.

Captain Ryan Dennison

Ryan was always smiling just like he is in this picture. He had this warmth and natural charisma that just radiated out of him. He was a standout athlete at school, and a standout officer and student during the Infantry Officer Basic Course and also during Ranger School. The Ranger Instructors during Mountain Phase spontaneously stopped a patrol and talked to the platoon for about an hour to point out some of the things Ryan had done and to praise Ryan’s tactical decision making. He was a terrific leader, and a great, great guy.

You can: visit Ryan at Arlington National Cemetery. He and Garrett are buried near each other in Section 60.

Sergeant First Class Richard Henkes

Sergeant First Class Henkes was the platoon sergeant for the first rifle platoon I led in Charger Company before I took over the Scout platoon. The platoon sergeant is like a father to the men in the platoon, and SFC Henkes took great care of them. He led by example, and he deeply cared for his men. When I heard about the new platoon sergeant taking over my old platoon, I paid him a visit to size him up. After our conversation, I knew they were in good hands. He was a very competent Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). He had a soft spot for Iraqi children, and he would make it a point to stock up on candy and toys to give out on patrol.

Big picture: SFC Henkes was a good man. He left behind a legacy of helping people: American and Iraqi.

Staff Sergeant Darrell Griffin

Staff Sergeant Griffin was already a war hero. My 2006 – 2007 deployment was his second to Iraq. During his first deployment, he won the Bronze Star with Valor for his actions during a fierce pitched battle for the city of Tal Afar. From the stories the men who served with him that day, he was a true warrior. When I listened to them talk about him, I was struck not so much by the words they used as by the consistent tone of reverence for him and for his bravery. When combat hardened soldiers talk about another soldier that way, you know that person is someone you want by your side when the chips are down. I had the privilege of serving with Staff Sergeant Griffin in Headquarters Company for a few months before he took over a squad in Charger Company. His death came at the very end of our 15 month deployment. It was a bitter and tragic pill to swallow.

Big picture: You can read more about SSG Griffin here. His father wrote extensively about him as well. And, US News & World Report honored his life and service with a posthumous feature story.

I don’t think I can write another one of these sections to be honest, but I want you to know about 1st Lieutenant Garrison Avery, and 1st Lieutenant Benjamin Britt, too. They were my friends. We are so fortunate as a country to have men and women who voluntarily risk their lives to preserve our way of life. We are so privileged as a company to be able to support the military and veteran community and their families.

Please remember to appreciate life. It is precious and valuable — your one chance to make the world a better place. Tell the people that you care about that you love them. Don’t wait. Live a life worthy of the sacrifices our fallen service members have made for you.

With respect and gratitude,

Blake Hall

Co-founder & CEO, ID.me
US Army Veteran