Celebrating Cpl. Gurpreet “Gopi” Singh

Writing a post such as this can be difficult.  A war has gone on for far too long.  I do not believe there can be an end-game, other than the action that President Obama is beginning to take.  American soldiers must leave Afghanistan.  This post is about one that did not.

I don’t know much about Cpl. Gurpreet Singh.  The Sacramento Bee provides a few brief notes about his military career:

A Marine from the Sacramento area has died in combat while fighting in Afghanistan.

Cpl. Gurpreet Singh, 21, of Antelope, died June 22 from wounds suffered in combat operations in Helmand province, the Department of Defense announced today.

Singh, an infantryman, was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton.

The Marines said Singh enlisted on Nov. 5, 2007. He served two combat deployments.

His service awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

“The Marines and sailors of the 1st Marine Division mourn the loss of Cpl. Singh,” stated a Camp Pendleton press release. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family.” [link]

I spent the night trying to read and learn about one of our fallen brothers.  What was he like?  What were his dreams?  I learned he was an only son.  I learned Gopi loved the Marines.  I learned that he loved his family.

I write this post to provide a place to celebrate his life.  I hope that we can avoid criticism/support of the war in Afghanistan in the comments in this post [a separate space can be provided for that].

Since the wars begun post-9/11 a number of our brothers and sisters have fought.  A number did not return. Uday Singh Taunque was once a name celebrated, but maybe as most names of fallen soldiers, forgotten far too quickly.

I hope that here in The Langar Hall, we can create a space for his friends, family, and fellow Marines to share with the sangat some stories, details, and anecdotes about the young man.  Maybe here in our Langar Hall we can remember and reflect.

From whence you came, you return.  May Waheguru give strength to those that remain.