https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/california-based/michael-a-bock/ The latest user comments on Michael A. Bock en-us https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c188609 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c188609 When Dennis passed away I was a young SGT in his company. I have to admit that I did not know him well, but I did know his reputation of being upbeat and hilarious. The night it happened, news travelled very quickly between everyone and I felt devastated. I believe I speak for all of who were deployed with him when I say, not another day passed when he wasn't on our minds. The feeling of helplessness lingered with us for our brother, our comrade, and our friend. Since then, I have thought back on the day we lost him more times than I can express. I still remember his jokes, his smile, and his inability to let others be sad. And now, 10 years since his passing, I am again deployed to Iraq, only this time I am a Battery Commander responsible for 55 young Soldiers. I have shared my memory of Dennis and his passing with each one of them. I hope that by sharing his story others can better understand the possible affects of their actions and take care as they go about their daily routines. To Sellen's family I would like to say, that your son was the best of us. He represented the best in each of us. And everyone who knew him, and knew of him, is a better person for having known him. I offer my sincerest condolences for the loss of your son, but remember that all of us will keep his memory with us for the rest of our lives. Rest in peace Dennis, and thank you for helping me become a better person and leader. Tue, 31 Jan 2017 03:55:01 -0800 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c187984 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c187984 I remember after missions, we would always sit around that bonefire hidden behind T-barriers and hescos at our pods. All of us. It was the party spot and he was always there to lift us up. Miss you brother. Sat, 24 Dec 2016 07:48:19 -0800 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c183995 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c183995 I knew Dennis from church when we were kids, grace community church in Los Angeles. We use to joke around a lot and do stuff our parents i know would get mad about. ill admit now his step brother brought some whisky and we drank it in the bathroom at church haha. Later I joined the marines, i heard he went national guard. Couple years later when i was home from Iraq i heard about the tragedy and i couldn't believe it. RIP brother. Im national guard now and will accomplish where you left off. We'll regroup when my times up. Sun, 10 Apr 2016 07:02:58 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c180821 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c180821 The last time I saw him alive, he made me laugh. Like a little girl. I giggled and almost pissed myself. I also know that he was a soldier through and through. No mistake, a true Patriot. Fri, 26 Jun 2015 12:49:27 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c155398 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c155398 He was my best friend we were both in the ROTC program at John F. Kennedy High school. I remember one day I was in my front yard and Dennis pulled up and said I'm deploying a few days. I then told him going to bootcamp in a few days, we laughed and talked about our high school days. Then the day I graduate from boot camp my family has me in the car on our way home and give me the bad news. My best friend has passed away. RIP brother. Sat, 24 May 2014 09:15:07 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c87895 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c87895 Dennis I miss you bother remember when we met in basic training we would laugh all night set and talk about our family and friends back from home we would shine our boots while you would beat box and sing I loved it . It was like a concert I'm so mad at myself for not writing you sooner but I could not figure out what to say . I know your still around doing something funny I miss you so much Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:37:23 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c75321 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c75321 Dennis and i met at kennedy high granada hills, i remeber a big bear hug from him and that smile in his face...i saw his mom at mission college in sylmar, and she gave me the sad news, he was very sweet and loving.... :( oh how we wish he was here but i guess god needs him to be an angel in heaven like he was in earth.... mom and sisters & fam stay strong we will see him again some day :) Wed, 09 May 2012 12:58:52 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c74706 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c74706 Dennis and I were in the same class at MMI. He was one of my very best friends at school and he spent some holidays at my home with my family. He was my brother and always will be. I have nothing but fond memories of him. We shared so many laughs, very few tears, and a ton of good times. He was a light-hearted soul with more talents than even he knew of. The Lord took the best of this earth when he called my brother home. It doesn't matter how many years pass, I miss Dennis every day. Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:16:10 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c70277 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c70277 We were sitting in the motor pool prior to a convoy mission, and the whole platoon was haggard and demoralized. We were not in the mood to go out and my platoon sergeant, whom I rode with, was trying to keep his frustration at bay. All of a sudden, a humvee drove in front of us. Dennis Sellen stood at the top of his turret, dancing in front of the whole platoon, gyrating his hips and pointing at all of us. All the joes cracked up and it lightened the mood - I looked over at my platoon sergeant and he had a flash of anger, "Stop doing that! Get off of there Sellen!" he shouted. He then turned around and the anger melted off his face, replaced by a huge smile. "F'ing Sellen." Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:15:26 -0800 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c52458 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/dennis-l-sellen-jr/#c52458 I knew Dennis as a boy. I knew Dennis as a man. He was my student. I saw him grow and mature over the years. Whenever he came to visit, I could easily sense the changes in him. But one thing never changed about him: his ability to make me proud of him. This morning I visited Dennis. As I arrived, a squadron of WW II fighters flew overhead. Then another. They were loud. Their powerful engines quickly broke the morning silence. He would have loved the noise. He probably would have turned and asked," Wanna see me jump out of one of those ?" Mon, 30 May 2011 05:38:39 -0700