sled,

I am truly sorry for the loss of your friends who no doubt were our friends too. And good and faithful friends they were. I salute them, as well as those they have followed and those who will follow them in doing their duty on behalf of us whom they have served so well.

As my best friend once said, "Greater love has no man than this, that he he lay down his life for his friends."

Thanks for your service as well.
May peace be with you and yours.