I had the honor of attending yet another wounded warrior retreat to Washington D.C. this past week. I will tell about that trip in a later blog once I get all of my pictures up from the trip. But one opportunity hit me harder than any other experience. As the last post stated, the Army lost an amazing man January 20th. Alongside him were 11 also amazing Heros. CH Munson challenged us on Wednesday evening to take a pebble (that I made sure I cleaned up real good for the role they were about to play) and over the night and the next day as we visited memorials to toss it around in our hands, and think of the sacrafices that we've given, but also of those that have given before us. It hurts me deep to know that some of my battle buddies I know personally have gone to war and are at war, and I've been stuck sitting behind a desk where its "safe." And now, as I'm contemplating my departure from the Army, it hurts even more to know I'm leaving them behind. That was my large burden that I placed in God's hands into that pebble on Wedsnesday night and all day Thursday. I also thought of COL Allgood. I remember him so vividly, returning my salute and pinning on my first AAM. I'll never forget him. He's not buried in Arlington though, so I couldn't pay my respects directly to him. So I gave myself a mission to find a Soldier, or two, that had fallen on or nearest to 20 January 2007.
Little did I know that I would find 2 of them, and that they both fell on the 20th.
I prayed for their family's as I took my time kneeling at both headstones. One of a SSG, one of a COL. I thanked God for their sacrifice and the Soldiers and people that they touched when they graced this life. And then I simply laid my pebbles on top of their headstones, whispered a short, "Rest In Peace, We've got your back now." And turned to walk around and keep an eye on my Soldiers who were grieving along side of me.
Today is my first day back in the office, and I was itching to know who these Warriors were that I paid respects to. Never did I think I'd find what I found.
BOOKER, DARRYL DEMETRIAL
SSG US ARMY
DATE OF BIRTH: 05/20/1969
DATE OF DEATH: 01/20/2007
BURIED AT: SECTION 60 SITE 8530
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
KELLY, PAUL MICHAEL
COL US ARMY
DATE OF BIRTH: 01/31/1961
DATE OF DEATH: 01/20/2007
BURIED AT: SECTION 60 SITE 8528
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
These two brave warriors were on the exact same blackhawk that took my Commander's life down as it crashed. I told CH Munson of that today, he couldn't believe it. And then he said the most amazing thing, "I don't think that is a coincedence." God knows us better than ourselves. And how amazing and truly wonderful it is that these two men were on that blackhawk, maybe even sitting alongside COL Allgood. And, that, in itself is very humbling. These men were fathers, husbands, sons. They were young, SSG Booker was only 37, COL Kelly was 45, COL Allgood was 46. From just the different articles, blogs, guestbook comments that I've found thus far these men were true Heros, and they knew how to lead, and lead well. Their Soldiers loved working for them and they are sorely missed by all who knew them.
But their stories don't end at the crashsites. All of those who have fallen for our GREAT nation live on. As their stories are told, and lives are impacted from the life these heros lived, is what makes their legacy continue on. One of my favorite quotes something along the lines of, if I made a difference in just one life, my life has been worthwhile. That in itself is a true test to the legacies of the men that I pay tribute too. They changed and impacted so many lives you can't even count them. That, in itself, is a life well lived. I truly believe Jesus met them at the gates of heaven, and said the words I'm ever-longing to hear..."Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" Matthew 25:21KJV
Rest in Peace, SSG Booker, COL Kelly, & COL Allgood...
If you would, please take the time to watch the MSNBC video on their crash, honor those who have fallen, and never forget all of those who have fought...whether they perished, were injured, or came home just a little bit different than they left.
http://dailynightly.msnbc.com/2007/01/stories_worth_h.html
No comments:
Post a Comment