Stay Safe: Chapter Fifteen

Stay Safe Book

Aug 18

Written By ereeves

What follows is a chapter from "Stay Safe: Life After Loss," a book that I wrote following the death of my brother, Robert James Reeves. Rob, only 14-months younger than me and 32 years old at the time of his death, was a Navy SEAL on the prestigious SEAL Team 6. On August 6, 2011, while on a mission in Afghanistan, he and too many of his teammates and other servicemen, lost their lives when their helicopter was shot down by enemy fire. It was the single largest loss of American life in the Afghan war. And because of the high profile nature of this event–being on the cusp of the Bin Laden mission and the number of those lost–my dad and I were part of many, many memorials and events, and the recipients of much outreach, and the point of contact for all those wanting to do something in Rob’s memory. This book chronicles the first month after his death. I am releasing a chapter a day starting August 5th as we mark the fourth anniversary of life without him.

Eulogy from Jon-Christian

Rob Reeves….to say they broke the mold when that man hit the ground would be a vast understatement.I met Rob around the time of preschool and had the good fortune to know him for close to 30 years. Along the way I can remember an evening in late high school when Rob and I were returned to my father by hotel security. We were trying to return to our hotel and there was a small body of water that separated us. Being 18 and completely over-served, naturally a straight line was the best approach. When we made our way across and emerged covered in mud it only made sense to clean ourselves in the pool, which immediately turned a lovely shade of brown. And now we’ve come full circle back to the security guard.My dad casually dismissed my behavior and strangely began explaining to Rob that he had no business following me across the river because I was such a strong swimmer.Rob agreed with everything dad said while wearing his patented little grin. Shortly thereafter he transformed himself from a teenager with the direction of a goldfish into a Navy SEAL. My dad has offered him little advice since.It became very obvious after his career with the navy began that he had found his place in the world and to the disappointment of many that he would no longer be running through Walmart naked.When Rob spoke about his work, he seemed to have a glow to him, never in a boastful manner or in any attempt to pad his ego. He simply spoke very passionately about a career he so desperately loved and a group of men for whom he had the utmost respect.Considering the nature of his profession, it was always admirable to see how approachable and amazingly humble he remained. These qualities and many like them were the foundation on which his character was built. A character that drove him to greatness while at the same time quietly hid his brilliance and achievements.With that in mind, it is important to remember that Rob worked hardest, at having a good time. From demanding that police breath-a-lize his sister on the way to school, to his straight faced explanation to my mother, while wreaking of booze and covered head to toe in glitter, that he knew nothing about her car full of stolen Christmas decorations, and most fondly, after a weekend in New Orleans , where his clothes were lost, the memory of him casually joining my family for lunch wearing a shirt that said plainly, I’d rather be touching myself, he lived a life filled with laughter.Rob loved his family very dearly; To Jim and Emily, I have stood in awe of your strength these past days. To Rob, you will be missed and always remembered by those lucky enough to have known you.Despite the tragedy of his sacrifice for us all, I believe Rob Reeves stood in the company of the bravest of men, and lived the life of his dreams.Now he leaves us behind with the memories of a great man, a fallen hero and above all else a true friend.

Read other chapters of this book.

ereeves