~ Yesterday we received word that a family friend's soldier paid THE ultimate price in Iraq ~
The young man was the brother of Erin's BF since daycare, softball buddy & bridesmaid and our families have a long history here in Elk Grove. This soldier was a son, brother, husband and father to a 2 year old daughter. His tour was to end in August and had just been home last week-end to visit family and friends.
I understand that the war has been going on for several years, but for me now it has a face and a name associated with it. I am feeling differently about the entire reason for the US being involved in a war now - I find it has no purpose other than the lose of life and putting our sons & daughters in harms way. I am also feeling very opioniated about the Iraqi people... Understanding not ALL of these people are responsible for the current state of affairs, but right now this is how I am feeling.
I am also appauled to think that there is a family that has been elevated in their community for their family member successfully completing their duty of detonating a suicide bomb, killing 5 innocent people... Makes my skin crawl!
Hopefully, you have not labeled me a bigot at this point, but will pray for peace and the understanding of this entire mess. I welcome your thoughts on this issue.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time;
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next. Amen.
You are truly a hero Bryan... May you rest in peace!
3 comments:
I wish I knew the answers. My heart is heavier than I thought possible. If only life were fair. If only we did not have to know pain or sorrow. Let us all try and stand strong for the Hall family. They have endured the greatest sacrifice any famiy could be asked....for our freedom.....
Never will I look at an American flag the same again. Let us not continue to ask questions but do our best to find the answer....how will this change you? How will you stay strong for the Hall family? How can we ensure that Bryan's death was not in vain?
No, you are not a bigot. You are a Mom, Wife, Sister, Daughter who cannot make sense of this. It cannot be the fault of any one person....
We lost 3000+ American lives in 9/11 and now 4271 American men and women have died in this war. Remember each and every life and family who is hurting.....and be blessed to see this world with our two eyes....today and each day forward.
First off, let me express my condolences again. I can't even begin to imagine what your friends can possibly be going through. Clearly, when something like this impacts you personally your viewpoints and opinions are going to be affected. Are they right, wrong, indifferent? I say none of the above. It is what it is...we wouldn't be human if we didn't feel those emotions.
But, I do also think we can't project our opinions or feelings or emotions onto the deceased and assume they felt the way we did. I don't know of a single soldier who doesn't understand the very real threat of danger and death they face when they go into a war zone. This is what they train for...and they understand the ultimate risk.
What I don't want though Leslee, is for you to look down on all Iraqis...just as I would hope that all Iraqis don't look at all Americans in a negative light. Not everyone in Iraq shares the viewpoint of the militant extremists who twist around Islamic law to defend their actions. Far more seek the freedom we enjoy, and want better lives for their kids than they've had up until this point. Those are the majority.
Seth attended on-post memorial services for nearly 2 dozen members of his battalion during his year in Iraq. I met a few of their wives when the batallion returned, and it was a truly humbling experience. What I found inspirational though, was the pride the wives had for their husbands and how they talked of the "ultimate sacrifice", but also noted their husbands died doing a job they loved. While the loss is indeed heartbreaking, their optimism and understanding gave a glimmer of light to an otherwise incredibly dark moment.
Take care.
I loved this post, and I must say I felt the same emotions as you did. The circumstances are so frustrating, and to have such a heavy heart, yet still so confused as to how this could possibly happen is so hard. Blessings to the Hall family for a loss like this.**HUGS**
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