We grieve over the loss. - Granite Grok

We grieve over the loss.

When The Eldest was in Iraq with the Marines, every day I prayed that I’d never see the Government car come into the driveway with the appointed Officer and NCO then walking up the path. With the Youngest now at Army boot camp, I may well dread the sound of any car pulling in.  My sympathies go out to all of those families that have had that fateful visit.

Tonight, I just learned that a National Guardsman from one of our local towns made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of freedom.  Franklin (NH) Mayor Ken Merrifield sent the news:

 

Flag at half-staff

 

 

FRANKLIN MAYOR ORDERS FLAGS TO HALF STAFF
 
FRANKLIN, NH – In honor of National Guardman and former Franklin Police Sergeant Scott Dimond, Franklin Mayor Ken Merrifield has ordered flags lowered to half staff at all city and school buildings immediately. Dimond died in Afghanistan from injuries received in an attack on a military convoy Monday evening. The Mayor urged Franklin residents and businesses to lower their flags as well.
 
"The City of Franklin is heartbroken at the loss of Scott Dimond, and we offer our deepest condolences to the entire Dimond family," said Mayor Merrifield. "As a law enforcement professional and as a soldier, Scott always made himself a shield between the people he served and any danger." The Mayor recalled conversations with Dimond at the polls during various elections. "He was a funny and likeable guy, and we’ll all miss him very much."
 
Corporal Dimond was 39 years old and deployed in January as part of an embedded tactical training team in Afghanistan.
 
"Scott was a credit to the Franklin Police Department and to his country. His sacrifice will not be forgotten in the City of Franklin," Merrifield added.

 

WMUR, our local TV station, has more:

FRANKLIN, N.H. — A National Guard soldier from Franklin has been killed in Afghanistan.

Cpl. Scott Dimond, 39, died as a result of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device.

National Guard officials said Dimond was traveling in a military convoy that came under enemy attack on Monday near Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Scott’s family during this time of deep sadness," said Maj. Gen. Kenneth Clark, the adjutant general of the New Hampshire National Guard. "May they take some comfort in knowing that Scott was committed to serving others, both as a former police officer for the town of Franklin and a citizen-soldier."

Dimond was a soldier with C Company, 3rd of the 172nd Mountain Infantry Regiment. He was deployed in January as part of a New Hampshire National Guard embedded tactical training team working as mentors to the Afghan army and police force.

"Cpl. Dimond served his state and his nation with dignity, courage and honor," Gov. John Lynch said in a written statement. "He was a hero who sacrificed protecting all of us. On behalf of the citizens of New Hampshire, our deepest sympathies go out to the entire Dimond family."

Dimond joined the National Guard in 2006. He was a police officer with the town of Franklin from 1988 to 2006.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Cpl. Dimond," said U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes in a written statement. "He served his country with honor and made the ultimate sacrifice defending our nation. My thoughts are with Cpl. Dimond’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time."

Godspeed, sir, and may He watch over your family.  We are honored and stand in awe of your service.

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