Rest Easy Todd North (1973-2013)

Two weeks ago Todd North, a husband, father to a little boy who won't turn 2 until later this year and an older little girl, Retired SSgt. of the United States Marine Corps, and a friend to everyone who ever had the chance to meet him was shot and killed at a local bar here that he was a bouncer at..... North was shot 4 times and still returned fire wounding the boy who opened fire on the bar, he also blocked the entry door to keep the punk from entering to hurt more innocent people. THIS MAN IS A TRUE HERO. His wife is one of my husband's Marines. He is a man that I have known since I moved here in 2008. My friends and I would frequent different bars to shoot pool and every time he was there he was engaged in conversations, laugh joke and offer his silly, sometimes smart ass advice on things that were taking place in every one's life. 

He was a big scary looking man, but those who knew him knew he was nothing but a sweetheart. I honestly cannot imagine what his wife is going through... Loss, pain, anger.... A sense of pride knowing he saved a number of others that were there.... 

A Facebook page called Remembering SSgt Todd North was started that can be seen HERE.

Along with a petition to sign to award him with the Presidential Citizens Medal can be viewed and signed HERE.

 This is a photo that has gone around facebook of him and their little boy, shortly before he left for work that evening....

The video to the brawl that started the whole shooting was released by the bar.... Seeing Todd protect those around for the last time is heartbreaking.... Seeing many people that I know and shoot pool with take cover from the High School student who took his life is frightening.... The brawl on video and only part of the shooting was aired from the bars surveillance cameras and can be viewed HERE. I watched it so many times in tears, with anger raging hoping that the thug KID that did this and took him away from his family and so many that loved him will receive the death sentence. Life in prison is too good for him, he does not deserve to live. 911 Calls were released as well that can be listened to HERE. I can only hope and pray that justice will prevail in the end.... Though I know it will not fill the hole of him being gone, maybe it will help begin the healing process.

Today a Memorial was held locally for him. My husband was able to attend (while I wanted to go, there was no one available to watch our children). As I expected, he said that there were hundreds of people there to show their love and support for him and his family. Marines in dress blues, 21 gun salute, bikers from every and any club throughout several counties lined up..... This is only of those he has touched locally. There will be another Memorial Service for him in California where he is from. As is much deserved, Todd Asa North, will have his final resting place alongside many of his own comrades in Arlington National Cemetery.... Rest Easy Marine, God Speed.