Virginia Beach, Va. - It was news no family wanted to get over Thanksgiving weekend.
Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin Ebbert became the 4th Navy SEAL killed in combat in 2012, after he was shot in southern Afghanistan on Friday.
He was serving with Naval Special Warfare Group 2, based right here in Virginia Beach at Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.
The commander of Group 2 says Ebbert gave the ultimate sacrifice, and called him a "courageous patriot who selflessly answered our nation's call to defend freedom and protect us from terrorism."
Originally from Arcata, California, Ebbert's mother told her local newspaper that the 32-year-old was on his second deployment to Afghanistan when he was killed.
The SEAL had hoped to go to medical school and become a doctor after he finished his deployment early next year, but those dreams are now dashed, as he leaves behind a wife, who he had just married this past New Year’s Eve.
Virginia Beach SEALs have been no stranger to loss recently--Ebbert was the second local SEAL killed in just a month's time.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Kantor died November 1st in a gunfight with Afghani insurgents.
The SEAL name has been clouded in controversy lately with movies, books, and video games putting them in the national spotlight.
These recent deaths remind everyone of the real price SEALs continue to pay in Afghanistan, a war supposedly coming to an end.
No one here in Virginia Beach will ever forget the 17 local SEALs and their support personnel lost aboard the August 6th 2011 Chinook helicopter crash.
It was the largest loss of life ever in the special operations community.
Since that day, five more SEALs have died in service to their country, with PO1 Ebbert being the latest casualty.
Related:
Prospective SEALs won’t let deaths dissuade them from trying to join elite group
Fallen Beach SEAL nominated for Wounded Warrior award
Events honor fallen heroes killed in Afghanistan crash one year ago
