It is important to start by saying that 10-year-old Braydon Nichols reminded the world a few days ago that more than just Navy SEALs died in the Chinook shootdown last week.  His dad died, too; Army Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Nichols was the Chinook pilot.  Seven other American military members died:  the other 4 helicopter crew and three US Air Force Special Forces.

Stories are slowly leaking out, and the military has yet to announce more specifics on those killed.  Family members, however, are telling some stories. [Updated below with names provided by the Department of Defense.]

As told by his widow, Kimberly Vaughn, Navy SEAL Aaron Vaughn was a “selfless” and noble man: 

“I want to tell the world that he was an amazing man, that he was a wonderful husband, and a fabulous father to two wonderful children,” she said. “He was a warrior for Christ and he was a warrior for our country and he wouldn’t want to leave this Earth any other way than how he did.”

Vaughn was engaged in an obviously dangerous profession, but he did not fear it:

“I told him to be careful and he said, ‘Granny, don’t worry about me.’ He said ‘I’m not afraid because I know where I’m going if something happens to me.’ Aaron was a Christian and he stood firm in his faith,” she said…

Few men in this world could long for Vaughn’s legacy of a “great American,”  “wonderful husband…fabulous father…a warrior for Christ and…a warrior for our country.”

Vaughn is also survived by their 2-year-old son Reagan and 2-month-old daughter Chamberlyn.

Men and women of faith influence the world around them by being in it, wherever God calls them to be.

It would appear “Christian Navy SEAL” is not an oxymoron.

Update:  The names of the fallen have been released:

Sailors (US Navy SEALs):
LtCmdr Jonas B. Kelsall
Master Chief Petty Office Louis J. Langlais
Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas A. Ratzlaff
Senior Chief Petty Officer Kraig M. Vickers
Chief Petty Officer Brian R. Bill
Chief Petty Officer John W. Faas
Chief Petty Officer Kevin A. Houston
Chief Petty Officer Matthew D. Mason
Chief Petty Officer Stephen M. Mills
Chief Petty Officer Nicholas H. Null
Chief Petty Officer Robert J. Reeves
Chief Petty Officer Heath M. Robinson
Petty Officer 1st Class Darrik C. Benson
Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher G. Campbell
Petty Officer 1st Class Jared W. Day
Petty Officer 1st Class John Douangdara
Petty Officer 1st Class Michael J. Strange
Petty Officer 1st Class Jon T. Tumilson
Petty Officer 1st Class Aaron C. Vaughn
Petty Officer 1st Class Jason R. Workman
Petty Officer 1st Class Jesse D. Pittman
Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicholas P. Spehar

Soldiers (Chinook crew):
Chief Warrant Officer David R. Carter
Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols
Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger
Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett
Spc. Spencer C. Duncan

Airmen (Special tactics):
Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown
Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell
Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe