Sgt. Speer's death is a tragedy for his family, as is every soldier's death, but why does it warrant some huge financial settlement? Should the family of every American soldier killed in Iraq or Afghanistan get a similar amount? 

With all respect, Sgt. Speer volunteered to join the army and chose to go to Afghanistan, knowing that there would be dangerous combat with a risk of death or injury. His death is sad but not unusual or exceptional in any war. War is war, war is hell and people die, that's just reality.