Jon Tumilson, a Navy Seal, was one of 38 Americans killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 6 when a rocket-propelled grenade destroyed a U.S. helicopter. He was mourned at a service in Rockford, Iowa, attended by 1,500 family members, friends-and Hawkeye, Tumilson's loyal dog.
The Labrador retriever was such an important part of Tumilson's life that his friends and family often referred to the dog as his “son.”
When Tumilson's buddy Scott Nichols walked to the front of the room to speak, Hawkeye followed, lying next to his “dads” coffin, letting out a big sigh, according to observers. Hawkeye laid by the casket for the entire funeral.
War is senseless in so many ways; I could argue 20 reasons why Jon Tumilson shouldn’t have been fighting this war but it wouldn’t matter. Tumilson’s family and friends will have to grieve for their fallen son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, in a way that fits their individual personality.
For one lonely dog named Hawkeye, his suffering will be done in silence.
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