A Light to my Path
I had the honor of being Mark’s platoon commander at SEAL Team Five from 1997-1999. We became good friends during that time and I was proud to have him at my wedding in ’99. I’m not exaggerating when I say that he was one of the anchors of the platoon… a rare breed, even among SEAL operators. In addition to being one of the more experienced guys in the platoon, and the best surfer, he was our lead communicator, possibly the most critical role in a SEAL platoon- responsible for ensuring that wherever we were- whether in the arctic (yes we were there), or in the rugged mountains along the Korean DMZ (there too), or some tiny island in the Pacific (there too) or on the front lines in the Middle East (yep), that we always had good radio contact with our supporting aircraft or boats, and satellite and computer communications back to headquarters. When you’re a small team behind enemy lines, your only life-line to any type of help is your communicator. Obviously this job required a huge amount of technical expertise, but most don’t realize it also entails tremendous physical effort. Because we’re so often on our feet, slogging through the snow or up a mountainside, how much we carry is always an issue of contention. And 2 guys in particular are loaded down like mules: the heavy machine gunner (who’s carrying a huge weapon along with thousands of rounds of ammo), and the communicator (carrying at least 2, sometimes 3 radios, at 20lbs a piece, plus a ruggedized computer, plus several antennas, plus numerous batteries called ‘bricks’, plus his own gear and weapons and ammunition.)
To illustrate a standard job for Mark: right before we deployed we had to pass a graded training mission off the coast of Alaska. After several days of preparation, with little sleep during those busy days, in late afternoon we embarked on one of our high-speed boats for a 6 hour hammering ride through rough seas. Finally we launched in our small rubber Zodiacs which brought us closer to our insertion point. After a 30 minute swim in the icy water, towing our 100lb rucks and weapons, we made it through pounding surf to shore, only to then scale massive cliffs, at night, with Mark hauling the heaviest equipment. Reaching the top of the cliffs we then were able to patrol to our target, 6 miles inland. Throughout this grueling approach- just to reach our objective, we welcomed any chance to stop and rest for awhile. Unfortunately, while the rest of us sat down and maybe pulled out something to eat, Mark had to pull out his communications gear, check in with our support craft, then figure out the correct bearing and azimuth to the satellite- and type out an encrypted message to headquarters and receive any additional instructions. Plus he was almost always doing this at night, usually in bitter cold or rain or snow, and sometimes having to climb a tree to get the satellite dish in a good line-of-sight position. But Mark never failed, and even though we were back on our feet and moving the second he packed everything up, he never once complained.
Many times I thanked God for Mark- and this was before I became a Christian. He was always unflappable, always on top of things, never complaining, always upbeat and ready for anything. The nicest guy in the world but tough as nails. I later came to realize that a big reason he was different was his Christian faith. He was down to earth, easy going, but at the same time his actions were without reproach, both on and off the job. I’ve had several friends who were killed in the past 6 years, but hearing about Mark hit me particularly hard. He was a great man, a shining light in a dark world, and will be missed.
Justin,
Thank you for this rare, elequent glimpse into Mark’s military career and for your service to our country.
Breaux
A rich life, well lived.
Godspeed sir.
Thank you for your time on earth Mark, and for your service to the country.
Be comforted dear brother in the hope of Christ’s return. Knowing with certainty that “ . . . the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: . . .”
~ I Thes. 4:16 ~
Almighty God,
Instill in me the discipline to be ready for the call, anywhere, anytime.
Give me your speed in my response, keen vision to find those in need of my skills, the wisdom of those who have served before me, courage to face fear and overcome it, and the strength to bring the fallen home.
And dear Lord, send your angels to watch over, protect, and comfort my family and my Crew when I cannot.
…that others may live.
Thank you Mark for your service and thank you Metherell family for your sacrifice.
Thanks for sharing this, Justin.
Many times I thanked God for Mark- and this was before I became a Christian.
I thank God for Mark, and patriots such as yourself, and this is while I am not Christian, or anything else for the moment.
Rick Schwag is confused. He is deeply sorry for his insensitive post.
I can only say that I am deeply sorry
for the loss of such a fine human being. I believe that one of the things that we as citizens of the US can be really proud of is the quality of the men and women who serve this
country, and are willing to put their lives on the line every day.
I am personally appalled by the drivel
that Rick Schwag had the very bad taste to post on this site. He is not only insensitive, but he is a bad poet as well. The following comments are addressed to him.
Aside from composing bad poetry, you who claim to love mankind, obliviously don’t love individual men. Because if you did, you would at least have the decency not to post such a put down of a truly fine man on the occasion of his death! But what else could I expect from an insensitive liberal, or would you rather be called a progressive? If you claim to be a Christian or at least a believer in God , then examine your own heart!
Great comment, anonymous. Now we see that rick isn’t a bad poet after all. He’s just a plagiarist since he didn’t give credit to his source. But what can you expect from a liberal.
Thank you for that moving tribute to a great American. God bless all our troops.
It is precisely because of men & women like Mark that the Rick Schwag’s of the world are free to post this garbage. God bless you, Mark. Thanks for our freedom.
What a wonderful man. Here, here. What more needs be said. He and his comrades in arms are the best our country has to offer. I pray his family and friends feel God’s mercy during this trying time.
Our family prays nightly and ends with a prayer for God to bless our troops. Whether they ever serve or not, we make sure they know of the sacrifices families all over America make for our freedom.
I am a veteran of the United States Navy. My service was mundane compared to this hero, but I thank God that men and women raise our kids to serve. It is something most people can’t understand: the desire to serve their country.
I am more proud of my service to this great nation than I am of everything I have accomplished outside of the military. In the service I “gave”, and outside of the service we tend to grab what we can. But I never forget about our service men and women, and what they go through. Civilians can’t understand, and that is not a bad thing, it is a club you have to have been a member of to “get” it.
God bless.
Thank You Mark and Family for sacraficing everything to help keep me and my family safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find comfort in knowing the opinion of schwag need not matter. The weak only attack at lowest of times.
I did not know Mark Metherell, but I respect and honor his service to our country. To Mark and the other service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of my freedom and way of life I say:
Hail heroes. Rest with God. You are not forgotten.
Doug Santo
Pasadena, CA
My heart and prayers go out to the members of Marks’ family. Mark and his comrades made the ultimate sacrifice so we can lead the lives we
have and go about our day in benign bliss.
Thank you, sir, for being there for us.
God bless you.
FISTr’s joke about being the most powerful men on Earth, provided we have a radio. Commo is key - on our knees or with a head set.
What a tribute, to you for recognizing and cultivating talent and to Mark for his selfless sacrifice.
If there were more like him, we would shake the foundations of hell.
God bless, God speed.
Robert Natale is confused and apologizes deeply. He is still learning a lot about truth, honesty and how cowardly he looks posting insults anonomously.
Robert is an example of true deranged unthinking liberal ass hole
As long as we remember and honor the sacrifices of heroes such as Mark Metherell and ignore or condemn the garbage of the haters of human freedom who posted above, the human race has a chance.
I was a bit hasty in labeling Robert an ass hole, because on further reflection, I realize that the afore mentioned is a useful part of our anatomy. But as for Robert, I doubt he serves any useful function.
Man of great courage and honor. Heartfelt thanks. God Bless.
In Heavenly peace,
leaning on the arm of Jesus
Dwelling, safe at Home, forever.
Mark was a great hero.
A beautiful tribute for a man whom sacrificed himself for his team, his country, the cause and his God. May everyone who reads this tribute look inward and find the Mark Metherell inside. Act selflessly, love passionately, serve proudly.
Thank you and your family for sharing your life.
God Bless
Thank you, Justin for this insight into the character of a good man, taken from his friends, family and country by the evil he worked to overcome.
May God watch over his wife and daughter, and may He continue to protect our country through those as honorable and devoted as Mark, and you.
This issues a challenge to those of us who survive, to live a life worthy of the sacrifice of Mark, his family and his friends.
Post a comment