Two of seven marines killed in a helicopter crash in March of this year were high school swimmers, according to the marinecorpstimes.com.
In total, 11 soldiers were killed when a UH-60 Black Hawk plunged into the water off the coast of Florida during a night training mission where the marines were to repel down ropes into the water and swim for shore. Inclement weather ultimately aborted the mission, but only one of the two Black Hawks returned to base.
Two of the seven marines (there were also four Louisiana National Guardsmen aboard) were high school swimmers. Staff Sgt. Trevor Blaylock swam for Lake Orion High School in Michigan, near Detroit; while Staff Sgt. Marcus Bawol was on the swim team at Warren Mott High School in nearby Warren, Michigan.
I’m only allowed to give 1 up-vote to the comments made above by Lane Four and Swimhistorian, but I wish I could put them in neon on the homepage of this website, both because they are so true and because they are so worth remembering! Perspective is very important, and the word “hero” (as well as role-model, IMO) are overused.
My condolences go out to all who knew these brave men!
Beautifully stated, SwimHistorian and DanJohnRob.
I’m as big a fan of swimming as anyone, but I never use the word “hero” to describe someone who’s just a champion athlete.
Blaylock and Bawol were heroes, along with everyone else who puts himself in harm’s way for the sake of others.
This puts “life” into perspective. Suddenly who is going to win what in either Kazan or Rio doesn’t matter. My heart goes out to their families and friends over such a tragic loss. Rest in peace, Marines. You did your duty for your country.