I want to encourage you to please take a moment to read
slowly through the names below. In July, these men and women
were part of intact, happy families, on a particular
mission, performing a job they all loved.
Pfc3 Anthony C. Garcia - LCpl James D. Argentine - LCpl
Travis T. Babine - Cpl Christian A. Guzman Rivera - Sgt Jay
M. Hoskins - Captian Matthew C. Freeman - SSgt Tara J. Smith
- Spc Matthew K.S. Swanson - Sgt Jerry R. Evans Jr - LCpl
Dennis J. Burrow - LCpl Javier Olvera - LCpl Patrick W.
Schimmel - Spc Richard A. Walters Kuwait - LCpl Bruce
Ferrell - Captain John Tinsley - Sgt William J. Cahir - LCpl
Joshua M. Bernard - Cpl Nicholas R. Roush - Sgt 1st Class
William B. Woods Jr - LCpl Leopold F. Damas - Gunnery Sgt
Adam F. Benjamin - Spc William Z. Van Osdol - Spc Matthew D.
Hastings - Spc Paul E. Dumont Jr - SSgt Clayton P. Bowen -
PFC Morris L. Walker - 1st Sgt Jose S.N. Crisostomo - Pfc
Brian M. Wolverton - Spc Justin R. Pellerin - Sgt Matthew L.
Ingram - Spc Troy O. Tom - Pfc Jonathan C. Yanney - SSgt
Andrew T. Lobosco - 2nd Lt Joseph D. Fortin - Cpl Darby T.
Morin - LCpl Donald J. Hogan - Capt John L. Hallett III -
Capt Cory J. Jenkins - Sgt 1st Class Ronald W. Sawyer - Spc
Dennis M. Williams - Pfc Matthew E. Wildes - SSgt Kurt R.
Curtiss - Sgt Earl D. Werner - Pvt Taylor D. Marks - Spc
Abraham S. Wheeler III - SSgt Jason S. Dahlke - Pfc Eric W.
Hario.
You may not recognize these names. They may not mean
anything to you personally, but they are the military heroes
who gave their lives in August 2009, so that America and
other nations may live in freedom.
In the last 30 days, every family of these brave warriors
heard a knock on the door and the words "We regret to inform
you ..." Forty-seven blue stars in an instant tragically
became gold. The effect on these families is now rippling
throughout their worlds with waves of devastation, untold
pain and unanswered questions. It is a time they may have
imagined could happen, but one they could never have
prepared for.In a moment their lives were changed forever.
In the months and years to come, they will begin to pick up
the pieces, to heal as best they can. But there will never
be words that will make a difference, never be a cure for
that hole in their hearts. There will be only forced
acceptance and the repetitive thought that life can
sometimes be too interminably long.
You may not know who these men and women were, but they are
more than mere statistics on a report. Forty-seven heroes
with mothers and fathers, grandparents, wives, children,
brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, friends, co-workers,
schoolmates, neighbors and fellow citizens ... and their
comrades in arms who were with them when they died. These 47
lives have now touched thousands in death. Sadly, not once
do I recall hearing the name of a fallen hero mentioned
nationally last month. I hope that you did. |
