Even if you were trying to console a family friend who lost a son to a surfing accident he or she wouldn't want to hear "he knew the risks when he started surfing but that doesn't make it any easier."  Or a friend who was an electrician and died from being electrocuted: "He knew when he became an electrician he could die getting electrocuted, but that doesn't make it any easier."  C'mon now.  Who would say that?  And General Kelly trying to excuse that?  Bottom line, if the family was offended how can you defend those words?