My brother Mark will be missed by many.

He was an ex-Navy SEAL who was working as a special consultant in support of our government. His work over the there was very important. I’m sure we will never know the full extent of his service to our country.

He was with 7 other Iraqi Special Forces soldiers when their vehicle drove over an IED which exploded in the early morning hours of April 11, local time. They were just outside Sadar City.

Seven of the passengers, including Mark, were killed immediately, and the 8th is not expected to live. My thoughts and prayers go out for these other men and their families as they died in service to their country.

I couldn’t ask for a better brother than Mark. He was a devoted son to our parents and loving father to his beautiful 1 year old daughter, Cora. Cora made his wonderful marriage into a complete family. She has been a blessing to everyone around her.

His wife, Sarah, was the joy, light and love of his life. It always made me smile every time I saw the twinkle in his eye when he was thinking about Sarah. It was hilarious to see the skanky German beer wench costume he got for her this past Halloween - a dress with a VERY short skirt, petticoat and pigtails! She looked great in it too!

I am grateful to Sarah for being such an incredibly supportive wife to my brother - not an easy thing to do surely with his adventuresome wanderlust. My heart goes out to her in her time of tragic loss.

He was kind and generous as evidenced by his many friends. He and Sarah are active members of the coolest little surfer church in Laguna - aptly called “The Little Church by the Sea”. Mark died doing what he loved. I am happy he led such a vibrant and rich life full of wonderful things.

Sitting here at night, when all our friends have gone away, my parents and I have time to reflect a little on Mark and our personal loss. It overwhelms me to see in these quiet moments the waves of grief that come over my mom and dad. I had never thought of the terrible pain a parent goes through when they lose a child - in this case their only son.

In the midst of my own grief, however, I am comforted that Mark is in a wonderful place right now. He is in paradise which I understand to be in the presence of God, verses hell, which is not in the presence of God. Jesus Christ died for everyone Mark simply chose to accept this gift, accept Jesus as his savior. Right now I am truly grateful he did make this choice, otherwise I would be devastated.
My hope to all of you who read this is as the weeks and months pass, that you will continue to keep my parents and especially Sarah and Cora in your thoughts. Please continue to be good friends to Sarah as I’m sure she will feel the pain and loss for a long time after the memorial service is over. Call her. Go for hikes with her, and continue to be the good friends to her that I know many of you are already.

My sincerest thanks,

Alison Metherell