As I write this, I have been crying for the past 20-30 minutes. Yes, I am a "boob" and Yes, I am patriotic. It's always hard to hear of a fallen soldier, but today this fallen soldier is one of our own.
I knew it was today, but somehow I forgot -- I remembered as I went in to town today to retrieve the mail. Flags at half-mast, people and flags lining the streets, fire trucks out, and intersections blocked off. To look at the scene you would think there was a parade. However, instead of the usual festive atmosphere there is a somber and quiet presence. I guess in a sense there is a parade -- a fallen soldier/Hero has come home.
The soldier -- Jordan Byrd, a 19-year old who had only been deployed for three weeks, who left behind a wife and young son, born only three and 1/2 weeks ago. The nephew of a friend, the husband of one of my son's classmates. Jordan was a medic who was shot in Afghanistan while helping a fellow soldier. His unit was ambushed. Jordan paid the ultimate sacrifice and he will not be forgotten.
On this day I shed tears along with his family, friends and strangers. I couldn't be there physically to give him a hero's welcome, but I was there in spirit. Thank you Jordan for your sacrifice! Thank you to all our men and women in the armed forces and especially their families, who also make great sacrifices.
No comments:
Post a Comment