Where Have All The Flowers Gone, Dedicated to Michael Hughes, Vietnam, 1969

A Vermont National Guardsman killed last week in Afghanistan was killed by friendly fire, the Boston Globe reported today. Master Sergeant John Thomas Stone, 52, was struck in the torso by small-arms fire on March 29.

When they told me you had died, I bled tears. When they told me you had died from friendly fire, I could not believe that this had happened.

In the hours-long Afghan battle, Stone, a Canadian soldier, another American soldier, and an Afghan army soldier, were killed and three other Canadians were wounded. Officials from the U.S., Canada and Afghanistan will investigate the deaths, according to the Boston Globe.

I remember when you were my father's lab assistant, you took us skiing and your car was full of empty six packs; you were a young buck then, and always had an easy smile. I could not believe that this would ever happen to you.

Insurgents attacked the primitive Afghan base, using mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, heavy weapons and small arms. Coalition forces returned fire, and also received air support, the Boston Globe reported.

I remember in your letters, you wrote you wouldn't be coming back.  In my letters, I wrote that you would. Even then, I could not believe.

A spokeswoman for the Vermont National guard said that the investigation does not mean that military officials believe that it was coalition forces that killed Stone.

I remember when a one-hour credit mistake flagged your lack-of-full-time student status and you were called to the draft. In return for letting you finish your degree, it was agreed you would enlist after graduation. Even then, I could not believe.

Stone was a medic and was assigned to a small base in Afghanistan, described as "little more than an expanse of sand, surrounded by a single ring of sandbags," according to The Globe and Mail.

I remember when your mother wrote the government, demanding to know how this could happen in a civilized country such as ours. Even then, I could not believe.

Insurgents attacked the base from three directions. The previous day, a deadly ambush killed eight soldiers in the Afghan National Army, in a convoy that was traveling to the base. In response to the ambush, Canadian troops were summoned.

I remember when we saw your name on the wall. Even then, I could not believe.

Stone had been stationed at the base to help train the Afghan National Army. He was due home in two weeks, and then would return to the National Guard until July or August, when he would have been sent home.

Where have all the flowers gone.