In Memory of Petty Officer Saman Gunan

Today is my birthday so it is kind of cool that Episode 101 dropped when it did. This episode is about Thai Navy Seal Petty Officer Saman Gunan. I watched the story unfold about the rescue mission for the Wild Boars Soccer club.

Petty Officer Gunan, had been out of the Thai Navy Seals for six years. He was working in airport security when the call went out for the cave rescue and he loaded up and went to Chiang Rai to join his fellow Thai Navy Seals.

I don’t know what exactly happened that led to Petty Officer Gunan that caused his death. He was there working in dangerous conditions to save the lives of these children. Also, we wasn’t even active duty.

I was struck by how these Thai Navy Seals worked through the pain of losing a fellow brother to rescue all the kids and coach of the Wild Boars Soccer Team. One the challenges of doing this episode was that there was not a lot of information about Petty Officer Gunan or the Thai Navy Seals. Even Wikipedia was limited in the information about Thailand’s Navy.

All I know is that cave diving is dangerous at best, and it requires someone of superior skill and training to do safely. These rescuers were fighting against time and weather to get all these kids out. When a problem happens in cave diving there is no way to do an emergency surface. There simply is no margin for error or an equipment malfunction.

I hope Petty Officer Gunan’s memory lives on and inspires other across the world. Rest in Peace Brother, and Semper Fidelis.

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