A Valmara 69 landmine, after being tripped, will launch itself to a height of 45 centimeters and, upon reaching this height, explode, sending approximately 1,000 pre-cut steel fragments flying out in a lethal radius of 25 meters.

On June 16th, in an isolated part of Afghanistan, at exactly 21:08 and 17 seconds, Staff Sgt. Tommy Filchner stepped on a Valmara 69 landmine.

Immediately after realizing his mistake, the following thoughts crossed the 22-year-old’s mind:

-Oh shit. This is it.
-Riding on his grandfather’s lawnmower.
-His sister’s hair ribbons.
-Christmas when he was ten years old.
-Little league practice with Dad.
-Meatball pizza.
-His first day of high school.
-Drinking at the lake with friends.
-Senior prom. And Becky Smith.
-The barracks at training camp.
-What the last thing he said to his Mom was.

At 21:08 and 19 seconds, the landmine exploded, ending the Staff Sergeant’s life.