Excerpt from Lund at Large blog May 24th, 2011
“We have heard that grandson, Taylor, has already had a taste of battle in Afghanistan. I pray God will watch over him and his fellow Marines as they fight to rid the world of those who would have us live in terror.”
April 23rd 2012
Many of you who read my meanderings on this blog joined with Linda and me 11 months ago in offering up prayers for Taylor’s safety. Too often we don’t make it a point to give thanks or even mention when prayers are answered as they have been for our grandson. His five year commitment to our country and The Corps, came to a conclusion this week and he is back home safe and sound. Thanks be to God and to all those who sought His mercy on Tay’s behalf.
He and the Marines in his platoon experienced excitement and horrors only other battle-seasoned veterans can understand. Many in Taylor’s unit, including him, had digital cameras along to chronicle some of it; a very personal glimpse into Lima Company’s journey through hell. The following are just a few of those images:
![taylor with platoon The Few The Proud in Afghanistan. Taylor is 2nd from left.](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-with-platoon.jpg)
The Few The Proud in Afghanistan. Taylor is 2nd from left.
![taylor sandstorm The platoon encounters a sandstorm while on patrol. It was the only one during their tour but it was a doozey.](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-sandstorm.jpg)
The platoon encounters a sandstorm while on patrol. It was the only one during their tour but it was a doozey.
![taylor ied explodes in distance An IED (improvised explosive device) goes off in the distance. A sickeningly regular occurance.](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-ied-explodes-in-distance.jpg)
An IED (improvised explosive device) goes off in the distance. A sickeningly regular occurance.
![taylor in ied hole Taylor stands in hole left by IED](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-in-ied-hole.jpg)
Taylor stands in hole left by IED
![taylor pressure plate of ied everywhere Close up of a pressure plate used in making IEDs.](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-pressure-plate-of-ied-everywhere.jpg)
Close up of a pressure plate used in making IEDs.
![taylor on donkey Cpl. Smith in a lighter moment aboard a confiscated ass](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-on-donkey.jpg)
SGT. Smith in a lighter moment aboard a confiscated ass
![taylor calling in helo A not so light moment as Taylor calls in a helecopter to evacuate a wounded comrade.](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-calling-in-helo.jpg)
A not so light moment as Taylor calls in a helecopter to evacuate a wounded comrade.
![taylor helecopter evacuation The chopper arrives.](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-helecopter-evacuation.jpg)
The chopper arrives.
![taylor friend still has sense of humor with shrapnel in face Injured buddy still has sence of humor despite face full of shrapnel.](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-friend-still-has-sense-of-humor-with-shrapnel-in-face.jpg)
Injured buddy still has sense of humor despite face full of shrapnel.
![taylor last shot of goyet Last photo of Lance Cpl. Mark Goyet. He was shot and killed later that day.](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-last-shot-of-goyet.jpg)
Last photo of Lance Cpl. Mark Goyet. He was shot and killed later that day.
![taylor at memorial for friend Taylor at the memorial for his buddy, Cpl. Goyet killed in action.](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-at-memorial-for-friend.jpg)
Taylor at the memorial for his buddy, Cpl. Goyet killed in action.
![taylor ready for night patrol Still, the war goes on. Taylor (on right) about to depart for night patrol.](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-ready-for-night-patrol.jpg)
Still, the war goes on. Taylor (on right) about to depart for night patrol.
![Taylor tired Back at camp. 48 hours without sleep. Dead tired but still alive.](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/Taylor-tired.jpg)
Back at camp. 48 hours without sleep. Dead tired but still alive.
![taylor titled thinking about home probably Taylor captioned this photo; "probably thinking about home."](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-titled-thinking-about-home-probably.jpg)
Taylor captioned this photo; "probably thinking about home."
![taylor with afghan kids You can take the boy out of South Dakota but.....](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-with-afghan-kids.jpg)
You can take the boy out of South Dakota but.....
![taylor flight out of afghanistan Taylor's caption: "Finally leaving this s**t hole.](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-flight-out-of-afghanistan1.jpg)
Taylor's caption: "Finally leaving this s**t hole.
![taylor final goodbye to best platoon in world Taylor and his band of brothers who've been through so much together](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-final-goodbye-to-best-platoon-in-world2.jpg)
Taylor says goodbye to his band of brothers who've been through so much together
![taylor at airport hug linda Thank you Lord.](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-at-airport-hug-linda.jpg)
Thank you Lord.
![Taylor hug at airport And thank you Taylor.](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/Taylor-hug-at-airport.jpg)
And thank you Taylor.
![taylor home at last with tucker and tara Thursday night welcome home dinner with brother, Tucker and big sister, Tara](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-home-at-last-with-tucker-and-tara.jpg)
Thursday night welcome home dinner with brother, Tucker and big sister, Tara
![taylor brenda Relieved Mama Brenda.."I can finally breathe again."](http://blog.keloland.com/lund/files/2012/03/taylor-brenda.jpg)
Relieved Mama Brenda.."I can finally breathe again."