Private Bryce Simpson, Corporal Zachery McCormack, Sergeant George Miok: A Memorial

Three fine men, friends of mine, and soldiers, passed away in the last couple weeks. My friends, and I, just finished doing our part at Private Bryce Simpson's funeral Friday, January, 8th, 2010 in Whitby Ontario. Also on friday, my buddy Corporal Zachery McCormack was laid to rest at his own funeral in Sherwood Park, Alberta. The following day of Saturday, January 9th, 2010, a friend of mine, and a mentor who taught me during Basic Military Qualification, and Soldier Qualification Sergeant George Miok was also laid to rest in Sherwood Park, Alberta.These men where great people. Miok and McCormack lost their lives serving their country over seas, struck down by an enemy Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Simpson passed away here at home, but is still a hero in my eyes, and in the eyes of my friends. He made us smile, and was a good friend to all around him.I first met Bryce Simpson when he came into my room to speak with my room mate Fisher. Fisher did BMQ with Simpson and they became good pals. Bryce would often come to speak to Fisher, and so I became more acquainted with Bryce through this until I came to know him as a friend. The best memory I have of Simpson is watching Hot Fuzz with him and Fisher in our room. He laughed pretty hard, having not seen the movie before. It's hard to believe I won't see his face again. I was honored to be chosen as part of the six gun salute at his funeral, his closer friends where is Paul Bearers.Corporal Zachery McCormack I met at my old unit The Loyal Edmonton Regiment when I was in the reserves. I remember his big smile. He always smiled. I don't ever remember him getting mad, even when things got tough in the field. He always was there to raise our spirits, giving us the bright side of things, even when things looked down. The best times I had with Zach was when we would go to Tim Horton's after our Wednesday night training. I remember when I told him I was leaving the army, he made me promise I would get back in. Well Zach, I did man, I'm in the reg force. I kept my promise. McCormack was a fine soldier, and a great friend. I'll miss him and remember the blood we shared in the field.Sergeant George Miok, I remember him well. The man had big dark eye brows, and when he walked down the hallway, we always said on course it was like his head just kinda floated down the hallway like Wario in the Mario games. I remember how he always encouraged me to do better during PT. I remember how he gave me advice and told me to relax when I became nervous. My most favorite memory is when he was on Duty Staff for the weekend and we were suppose to be Confined to Barracks and he let us out to go drink. He told us if we got caught he would be in trouble. That made him one of our favorites because of that reason, he put others before himself. He made sure his troops were taken care of before himself. I'll miss you Miok, a fine teacher, friend, and soldier.This post I dedicate as a Memorial to such fine men as these. I'll miss you guys, and I hope where ever you are they serve lots of delicious free beer.Cheers Brothers and Rest in Peace,Cuyler Callahan