Marine Corps Veteran of Afghanistan Killed By Police

Local news reports

Police fatally shot a Camp Pendleton Marine who struck an officer with a car in a parking garage in Palm Springs, authorities said Monday.
The Marine repeatedly ignored orders to stop after being approached by officers on bike patrol around 2 a.m. Saturday, the Palm Springs Police Department said in a statement.
One of the officers partially climbed into the passenger window to stop the car, but the Marine accelerated, striking the other officer, the department said. The Marine kept driving with the officer hanging out of the window until the car crashed near the garage exit, it said.
Both officers were treated for injuries at a hospital and released. They have been placed on administrative leave while the department investigates.
The Marine died at the scene and the lone passenger, another Marine, was not injured, authorities said.
"In the course of these events, fearing for their safety and the safety of others both officers discharged their weapons," the statement said.

This is one of those intrepid warriors that the rah-rah patriots over on TTAG were celebrating the other day. The picture would have been taken during basic training, about three-and-a-half years ago. He looks to have been just 17 or 18. I doubt very much if the following jingoistic nonsense applied to him.
To answer the call for service, to put on the uniform and steel yourself to step in harm’s way, is a step in beginning to repay the debt of honor owed to our ancestors.
No, most who join are too young to possibly have such lofty motives.  In fact, most join for the wrong reasons, usually to escape one thing or another. Then boot camp training and a year or so in a combat zone, who could possible be whole.  As former servicemen, it's all about aggrandizing what they'd done.
No, these guys, in most cases are not heroes to be honored but suckers to be pitied.  They fell into the trap set by old politicians who almost to a man had not served. As I said the other day, if you consider the foreign involvements we've been engaged in over the last 45 years, is there anything there to be proud of?  No, there's not.  And to have participated is not something to be proud of either.
What's your opinion?  Please leave a comment.