salutes 61 Troops stationed in Iraq ....
1 stationed in Afghanistan
and Their Families
for the sacrifice you've given this
December 2006.
We pray for you and we are very humbled by your devotion and service.
With heaviness, we share in your sorrow, and a little bit like you, we're numbed by such a loss.
The photo in this post is of Captain Sorrells, USMC handing me the flag that draped the casket of my son who was buried May 3, 2004. My husband, Greg, sits to my right and Aaron's dad, Doug, sits to my left.
We feel your pain.
In May 1918 President Wilson approved the suggestion of the Women's Committee of National Defenses. It recommended that American women should wear a black band on the upper left arm, adorned with a gold star. Each star representing a family member who had given his or her life for their country. This was suggested in lieu of conventional mourning attire.
The "star" tradition began in WW I when white Service Flags were displayed from homes, business, schools and churches to indicate, by the use of a blue star, each active service member in the U.S. Military. A gold star stitched over a blue star showed the nation those who had given their lives for their country and the devotion and pride of those left behind. This tradition continued through WW II. for more, follow link below.
Gold Star Mothers; a history
Music
Iraq's Fallen buried at Arlington
Afghanistan's Fallen buried at Arlington
Day is done,
gone the sun,
from the lakes
from the hills
from the sky,
all is well,
safely, rest,
God is near.
Fading light,
Dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky
Gleaming bright,
From afar,
Drawing, near,
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun
Neath the stars
Neath the sky,
As we go,
This, we, know,
God is near.
4 comments:
There is a scene from Saving Private Ryan that always stands out in mind. Even though it was a movie, the emotion it evoked was real. The scene is at the beginning when Mrs. Ryan is at the kitchen sink in her farmhouse, and we can see the car, trailed by dust, approaching her house.
She sees them and meets them on the porch. We don't hear the conversation, but we don't need to. We know what she's being told, and she sinks to the ground, pushed down by the enormity of the loss of her sons.
Perhaps that scene was powerful to me because I remember a story I did years ago titled How To Survive The Loss Of A Love. All of the professionals I interviewed said there is no loss that equals the loss of child. Losing parents, siblings or a spouse doesn't compare to the loss a parent feels when a son or daughter dies.
I can't begin to understand the depth of that pain. I can only say to the mothers and fathers of our fallen warriors that you are always in my prayers. I must believe in God's plan and in His love when I see American men and women killed in this war on terror. God is the calm in this storm.
I've never forgotten that scene either. In fact, I've thought of it often.
As of yet, I don't know if it's the hardest. So far, it is.
The total absolute 100% loss of the PHYSICAL is what it comes down to, even as a believer.
Aaron had been gone 3 years. For that, I was grateful. If I had to wait for the door that never opened again after school or something...I can't imagine.
And since it is the loss of the physical, I imagine the loss of a spouse would be devastating.
We don't realize what a physical relationship we have with one another until it's gone.
Think of your pets, not hearing, talking, touching or seeing them anymore. Not smelling.
Take it a little further for the human element then. No more phone calls. The mail still comes in their name.
Only God above can help you hold on. And He will. And maybe, just maybe, you'll be able to love like you've never loved before.
And maybe you won't. Regardless, God still loves you and your loved one is still very much alive...as you and I well know.
Everything is for a Kingdom purpose and may have much less to do with US as it may be FOR other lives that for the moment, had to be spared or in my case, retrieved.
Thanks for writing here in this spot, Steve.
For the most part, I know that the families that are the hardest in grief right now are not on the Blog for sure, but we will always honor our troops, their sacrifices and accomplishments here. And their families will always be honored and loved by me.
Dear De'on,
Each day I come to your site and draw strength from your courage. You lost a son to this war; I lost a husband. Our lives will never be the same.
There are days when I pray for the strength to get through the next minute. There are days when I can sail through an hour before grief pulses through every nerve in my body. Only recently have I been able to get through the night. Before I would wake up, feeling like the pain was choking me, and I thought I would literally die from a broken heart. I understand now how that can happen.
But each day I come here and read your words, and I am strengthened. I'm not feeling sorry for myself. I'm just trying to learn how to go on with my life. The thought of dating another man makes me feel like I'm cheating on my husband. I still feel that I'm married to him.
I'm learning how to get through this, and I'm getting stronger through this site. I love it so much, and you don't know how much you've helped me. I have no doubt you are helping many, many other people. God is using you. Of that I am sure. I enjoy the other posts on this site, but your writings are the ones that nourish my soul right now. I read some of your writings to my English students, and two of them told me this week they want to join the Marines when they graduate in the Spring. You have inspired them.
Merry Christmas, De'on. God bless you, my military sister.
Julia
Oh, Julia, you have not idea how much you and your words mean to me. Sometimes I think, De'on, what are you doing? You've lost it some again...
But when you come in every once in a while and encourage me like this, well, you've brought tears to my eyes.
I know how very hard it must be for you right now. And I know I've wished I could die of a broken heart. Once I read of a mother that lost her son in Iraq and when she first saw him in his casket, she had a heart attack and died.
I heard it on the radio coming home from Odessa, TX .... I'll never forget it, and I was so jealous. I knew she couldn't have loved her son more than I loved mine, yet she got to escape all that pain and go to be with him.
That wasn't too long after Aaron was killed. The same year in fact...a few months. Sometimes it gets hard to remember, but yes, between April and December.
I don't feel that way anymore, Julia, not hardly ever. But the huge surges of grief still come. But when they come now, they are painfully sweet.
Sometimes I'm surprised that I really am on my third Christmas without Aaron.
God is good. And right this minute, I'm more thankful for His gift of you, your words, and those precious students that you are truly "teaching" than anything else.
You always come when I need you!
Would you consider letting us post a picture or write something about your Marine husband. If it would be too painful or an invasion of your privacy, then I understand that too.
God bless you precious Marine Wife. I know you'll always be that no matter what. I don't think you can be touched by a Marine and ever totally escape it ... but that is definitely okay.
As long as it takes, that's what we'll do. And like Greg says, "Sometimes it takes a little bit more."
For our little bit more, Julia, I'll be here.
Thank you so much and Merry, Merry Christmas to you and yours. I'll be here on Christmas too.
I love you.
Semper Fi, Lady!
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