BABY WATCH keeps me local but if I had wings, I'd be in Arlington National Cemetery for the passing of another classmate, Mike Butler. Everybody liked Mike, the humble guy who asked for nothing. He retired from the US Air Force in 2006 and took up a job as a private contractor with the Civilian Police Advisory Training Team, helping the Iraqi police force. This is the kind of security work typically performed by Irish Defence Forces on rotation to other hotspots around the world. Mike Butler was working near Tikrit, Iraq and was killed in a five-vehicle convoy when a rocket propelled grenade hit his vehicle.
When I worked in Ramstein, Germany, Mike worked in Hahn, Germany, protecting special weapons on some occasions. His airpatch became a Ryanair tent. Part of my workplace still handles special weapons. Mike's going home, going home to Arlington National Cemetery. The three ship passes overhead shortly after 1PM on 22 August 2007 at Arlington National Cemetery.
Arlington Cemetery -- "Michael W. Butler" RIP.
