Aaron at Lisa & Roy's Christmas 2003.
This sweatshirt is the same one I gave Steve the last minute at the airport. Steve wore it in Fallujah and coming back when he was robbed before crossing into Kuwait.
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Writings and musings on the eccentric beauty of sacrifice. Come journey and write with us. We are resolved to capture something positive in a troubled world and laugh when we can along the way. This, then, is dedicated in Loving Memory to LCpl. Aaron C. Austin, USMC KIA Fallujah, Iraq on April 26, 2004. Rock On...
4 comments:
That sweatshirt was my armor. Thank you for letting me take it to Iraq.
I didn't know if I could until I did. He wore it constantly when he was home for Christmas in 2003, and as you mentioned on your radio interview with Dave and Jenn on "My Point Radio," it was the last thing I saw him and held him in alive.
We were in Amarillo on Valentine's Day weekend to see Aaron at his dad's (Doug flew him home for the weekend) before Aaron flew back to Kuwait on Feb. 29, 2004.
I wore that 1st Marine Division sweatshirt quite a bit the past two winters.
I wore it at the Homecoming Party Roy gave for Aaron on Oct. 16, 2004. During Christmas leave in 2003, Aaron had asked Roy to give him a party when he returned home, and although Aaron returned to a different home than I'd planned on, we were still very grateful that his unit was back.
And Roy had promised. I LOVE YOU, ROY!
Lisa told me later that she thought about letting you take one she has of Aaron's, but she couldn't b/c like me, I'm sure she thought, what if he doesn't make it back?"
Somehow, right then, that moment in the busy unloading zone at the airport, right then I knew you would bring it back to me.
You were giving everything. I had to also.
I'll always be grateful to you. No matter where our lives take us, our bond, one formed while you were in Iraq, will be forever.
I think it's one reason I've been a little down last night and this morning. After learning that you would most likely move to Lubbock instead of living here and working for a newspaper up north, I felt like I had lost another son. Well, maybe not that bad, but you have become like a son to me, even though you're only 4 years younger than me.
I guess I'm so mature and all.
But Lubbock will be good to you and for you. Better than here. And it's only 110 miles from here, so that's all good.
If we worked together between Iraq and Lovington, Lubbock shouldn't be a problem, but I will miss your company.
You talk more than me... okay, it's a tie then.
I told Lisa this morning I felt again, like I was Stealing Puppies (There's a narrative in the archives that I wrote a while back called "Stealing Puppies").
But I am good. The boys are at the groomer's so I was able to have a good cry.
Sons are famous for breaking their mother's hearts.
Steve I was thinking of sending Aaron's dog tags that he had chewed on. They are as precious to me as the sand and rubble. And would I let them leave, No Way. Plus I see how much you are always looking for stuff. Ha I think I was the same way with Aaron Cole. But oh so glad you made it back. I really don't like going through things like that.
Well, it's probably a good thing I didn't take his dog tags. I mean I was already wearing his sweatshirt! I think that if something had happened to me and they saw all of that Aaron stuff, they might have thought I was bonkers!! OK,OK, I am, but it's best to keep it undercover! I don't need to parade the crazy around too much.
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