Honoring Shannon :: CR99 220530

Inspired by Charli Mill’s Carrot Ranch, #99WordStories

from her May 30 2022, prompt:

In 99 words (no more, no less) write,

“the story behind the memorial.”

 

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Dear Kent family.

You don’t know me. I was thinking about your daughter, wife and mother, Shannon.

I read about her gift for languages, how she fought and won a battle against cancer, and how she chose to use her skills in our Navy.

I also read how one person, an apparent non-combatant, walking past the restaurant where Shannon was eating — detonated a suicide vest, snatching her away from you.

The date: January 16, 2019.

The city: Manbij, Syria.

Shannon was only 35.

Her memorial is . . . insufficient . . . and,  she left us with an impossible-to-repay debt of gratitude.

Humbly,

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This link is a more detailed NSA memorial honoring this remarkable woman.

Shannon’s story simply cannot fit in the few words I have above. The NSA memorial article (Link above & header below) will give you a much better summary of this fallen hero. With the talent she had, she could have done so many other, safer things – yet she chose to serve us, stepped into harm’s way and paid huge price – but only after making a big difference in her second big battle.

May you rest in well-earned peace soldier and
may God cover your family in the most comfort possible.

Here’s a great Wikipedia article about Shannon’s story

The maps below and above are from Google Satellite images suggesting both where Manbij is in Syria and something of it’s desert nature.

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