Sometimes a Picture Really is Worth a Thousand Words

Well, this took a little while, but I hope you enjoy the photos. They give you a glimpse of who we are and will help you to put a face with a name and personality in the "Live" Broadcast below all the photos. Now, when I bring them up in a story, you'll know who they are.

Speaking of photos, a couple of people have mentioned the fact that they couldn't bring up but one photo in the Loomis link. My screen shows it fine, but what you may need to do is set the screen to full, then you'll be able to see a "Menu" button. He has several folders under "projects" and one is Iraq. The last pictures on the roll are of the Baptism in Fallujah that took place one or two days after Aaron was killed. His unit had also lost two others just two weeks before.

Loomis was an embed with Aaron's unit the week Aaron was killed. He called me from Iraq and asked if I wanted a picture he'd taken of Aaron reading mail one day before he was killed.

I don't have to tell you the answer to that one. I'll share it with you later on. I need to get my poor husband supper fixed. Yes, I'm horribly Texan. I say "supper" "fixing to" that kind of verbiage.

Anyway, if you haven't read Loomis' article in the L.A. Times, you can on the Internet. The article is called "Imagine Dying". Loomis was with Sgt. Magana at a different house that day. Sgt. Magana is still in the Marines and the last I heard, was back in Iraq. His survival is nothing short of miraculous and Loomis formed a deep bond with Echo 2/1 that day.

Loomis is faithful to keep in touch to this day, and has actually visited here. I'll always be grateful to him for the photo and for putting me in touch with Sgt. Magana. I've had several good talks with Sgt. Magana and am so thankful he made it back to his wife and little girl.

I have wondered if the force of that day was instrumental in leading Loomis on to other projects with the Medics and the Corpsmen. He admires them so very much. Anyway, for those of you who are interested, or have time, check out his photography and article, again, at L.A. Times.com.

Tony Perry also did a great write-up concerning Aaron's Silver Star. It's about a prayer meeting that Aaron led the night before. The name of it is 'Marine Who Wouldn't Quit Fighting is Honored.'

I tried to set up a link for these articles, but for some reason, it won't work. Maybe it's the protection on them or something.

To the Mushrooms: Rock On!
To my Marine Bunch, "Mom De'on" works.
To Steve: I miss your name on my email. 2 more days, maybe.

And to the Armed Forces...there aren't words enough. God protect and comfort each of you, each of your family members, and everything you set your hands to.

Until tomorrow, then, God's peace.