It would be hard not to feel a lump in your throat hearing the grim details of the soldiers that included members of Navy Seal Team 6 killed over the weekend when the helicopter they were being transported in was shot down over a terrorist stronghold in Afghanistan.
(There were also soldiers on that helicopter who were not Navy Seals. Here’s a riveting post about one of them.)
Notable was the story of Aaron Vaughn, husband, father of two, and staunch defender of our country’s freedom as a SEAL.
As I watched the interview with his widow and parents, I learned he epitomized “old school” principles that you hardly ever hear much about in the media, unless an event like this occurs.
Love of God
His father related that Aaron was a person of deep faith, who let that faith guide him to the convictions that he believed in. His father said “He believed…. that he was obliged as a Christian believer to fight fundamental Islamic terrorists around this world because he believed it was a threat to his children and to his wife and to all of our western civilization way of life.”
In an age where some individuals try to take the word “God” out of everything, hearing about this man’s beliefs was a refreshing change.
Love of Country
September 11 was a turning point for Aaron in his desire to become a Navy SEAL, according to his dad. He put his country first simply by making the decision to become a elite member of American special forces, and put his life on the line every day to protect our way of life.
At a time when patriotism is void from our minds, or at best a part time pursuit, men like Aaron prove to be the ultimate patriots.
Love of Family
Vaughn loved his duties as a Navy SEAL. I’m sure the job of being a dad was something he gave his all to as well. Those of us that are with our families on a very regular basis no doubt take that time for granted.
Vaughn was away from his family for hundreds of days at a time. Being a father of two very young children, he had little opportunity to see them grow and took full advantage of the limited time he had with them. He was with his newborn daughter only briefly before returning to combat.
These details make concrete the fact not only are these members of our American military the ultimate fighters, but also ultimate believers: God, country, family. Truly old school stuff we need more of.
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Joe DeGiorgio 
Hey Joe,
Great tribute to an American hero. I can relate to his story becuase I too, decided to join the military after 9/11. People like Aaron Vuaghn can never be replaced. Thanks for sharing.
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Joe, thanks for writing this article about Aaron. Thank God we have heroes like him giving all they have for an American philosophy of life that fewer and fewer people understand or appreciate. The pendulum will swing back because that’s what pendulums do. Wouldn’t mind seeing it happen yesterday.
Tom, thanks for the comment. I knew when I heard Aaron’s story, I couldn’t help but write about him. The guy was obviously a stud, the kind that modern America needs more of, but sadly they are in short supply. I wish his family all the best in their grief. And like you I hope that pendulum is coming back to our way of thinking…