There are a lot of heavy hearts that are currently dealing with something that isn’t necessarily easy to explain in words, so I’m making my best attempt. I’m doing this for no other purpose than to offer a meaningful effort to share and document a fractional part of the courage, character, and devotion of USMC SSgt Alan Rooney (EOD).
I wasn’t in the same platoon or a close friend, and he may have never mentioned me personally, but I owe it to all service members I served with to honor their sacrifice any way I can. I can damn sure share a few thoughts based simply on the observations humans can naturally distinguish within each other through time spent in service, celebration, and remembrance.
As it’s taught to us in the military, complacency comes in many forms, and the lesson I learned today is that given enough time, the statistic of 22 veterans a day will occasionally breach into the network of people I have served with.
Throughout all the chaos 2020 has offered us thus far, the last thing I had expected to see was our former CO during the OEF 14.1 -14.2 deployment cycle announcing that a former Marine during that period had taken matters into his own hands in a permanent way. Social media was quickly filled with a tradition I have now seen a few times since existing on active duty over four years ago. With each occurrence having an increase in the proximity of shared time in service for the person being honored.
Tradition is everything in the Marine Corps Infantry, and sharing a picture of the rifle company guidon with a black banner is our beacon of reality for members of the members of 1st Battalion 7th Marines, Suicide Charley to share and raise awareness that one of us has fallen. The widest dissemination possible is the mission of this tradition, and today I plan to widen those left and right lateral limits.
The unique name for our rifle company is paired with the permission to carry a personal guidon (flag) for ceremonial and formation purposes. Permission earned on the battlefield of Guadalcanal during WW2 that is still proudly carried today. That’s why the word Suicide has been so oddly comfortable for me to use since my time with the company. I don’t think much of it, but the fact is that word carries so much weight when not being applied to name my old gun club in the Marine Corps.
I would be comfortable in saying that most Americans today know someone who has suffered somehow or some way from their military service. All conditions vary by scale and are dependent on both the infrastructure in place to help those in need and the person’s willingness to get proper help.
I use “proper” specifically because each person is so unique in the manner their mental health is evaluated and handled. Experiences can be either rather minor to some and absolutely traumatic to others, while others are as formidable as they come. No matter what, the exposure of weakness isn’t something that a pipe-hitting professional gunfighter is taught to do.
I just wish he knew how much love is being poured for him right now, showing “weakness” in the form of genuine human relationships broken by a tragedy unsolved by modern science and culture today. I don’t know what affected him to the point of finality, but it goes without saying we as a community around Alan are aching and searching for sense in it all. Whatever it was we now have to use this moment to remember and stretch his legacy as far as possible.
We cannot bury this pain, or simply remove it because it is so real and those closest to him will have a daily reminder while being forced to return to their day-to-day lives. I hope to always remember the guy from Boston who would always have a smile and seemed to really enjoy his place in 1st Platoon.
You really don’t gain close relationships with those not in your direct squad or platoon unless there was a prior connection, but in the common areas, you’ll inevitably find yourself in the mix. I can vividly remember many conversations just shooting the s— with my good friend Austin from Roony’s squad and hearing about the latest douchebaggery happening in their day. It may have only been the time it takes to drag a cigarette, or two, but you don’t get those types of engagements once you’re out.
In passing it would be a short or simple head nod or a brief “Sup”, but his presence was always naturally welcoming. Even if he wearing a loaded select-fire HK in his hands, he seemed in his element at all times. Not being bothered by the day’s monumental bulls—, Alan could get a joke or chuckle out of someone with an infectious laugh.
If I could summarize the type of guy Rooney was, it would be that he belonged and was instrumental in a lot of people’s lives that I deeply care for and look up to. With so many untold stories about his life and experience with others, I hope to offer a trace for everyone to share on behalf of Alan and his family. This post isn’t much, but I hope it helps at least one person as much as it helped me.
What I hope for is for anyone who has shared a part of their life to share, talk about, and remember Alan Rooney so that his legacy is that of pride and joy, to hopefully heal in part the feeling of unending loss and pain. The wound can never be closed, but a momentous effort to cherish our fallen Brother, Marine, Son, Godfather, and Friend can be made right now.
Be kind to one another, we don’t have a lot of time here.
Robert Anderson – Suicide Charley 2013 – 2016