A U.S. soldier (R) of 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, cries during a memorial service for three fellow soldiers who were killed during clashes last March 25 and April 7, at a military camp in Baghdad April 16, 2008. The soldiers were killed in combat in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City: Staff Sgt. Joseph Gamboa on March 25, Sgt. Michael Lilly and Cpl. Jason Kazarick on April 7. (REUTERS/Erik de Castro (IRAQ))
I can hear myself cry, but nobody else can.
I can hear myself cry, but nobody else can.
Evening...
It would be easy to avoid writing a blog like this...I almost talked myself out of it tonight...I almost didn't look at the pictures - who would know?
Almost...
Sure, I could just blog about the stories that put a positive face on the war and the work of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment...and avoid looking at the faces of our warriors from 1st Squadron, 2nd SCR who today grieved the loss of three of their own.
I can't....it is not reality...
I won't...it's not who I am...
So, here is my view - our warriors have to face the loss of a friend, a fellow warrior...straight up. For us to have even a remote chance of understanding what they are experiencing...I believe we too must look...
So if you can summon the courage to look...
Peer into the faces of our warriors in these pictures and see their pain firsthand...lest we forget the price being paid...
Silent tears...crying on the inside...no one said this would be easy, eh?
Father God, give me the courage to stay strong and press on...just as you do all of our warriors who are in the fight.
Chris, I love you son...be safe!
v/r,
- Collabman
A U.S. soldier (C) of 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment sheds a tear during a memorial service for their three fellow soldiers who were killed during clashes last March 25 and April 7, held at a military camp in Baghdad April 16, 2008. (REUTERS/Erik de Castro (IRAQ))
A U.S. soldier (C) of 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment sheds a tear during a memorial service for their three fellow soldiers who were killed during clashes last March 25 and April 7, held at a military camp in Baghdad April 16, 2008. (REUTERS/Erik de Castro (IRAQ))
A U.S. Army soldier from from B Company, First Squadron, Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment weeps during a memorial service for three fallen comrades in Baghdad, Iraq on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
U.S. Army Capt. Jonathan Bradford, commander of B Company, First Squadron, Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment, left, and 1st Sgt. Andre Williams pay their respects to three of their soldiers in Baghdad, Iraq on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
U.S. soldiers of 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, embrace each other after attending a memorial service for three fellow soldiers who were killed during clashes last March 25 and April 7, at a military camp in Baghdad April 16, 2008. (REUTERS/Erik de Castro (IRAQ))
It would be easy to avoid writing a blog like this...I almost talked myself out of it tonight...I almost didn't look at the pictures - who would know?
Almost...
Sure, I could just blog about the stories that put a positive face on the war and the work of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment...and avoid looking at the faces of our warriors from 1st Squadron, 2nd SCR who today grieved the loss of three of their own.
I can't....it is not reality...
I won't...it's not who I am...
So, here is my view - our warriors have to face the loss of a friend, a fellow warrior...straight up. For us to have even a remote chance of understanding what they are experiencing...I believe we too must look...
So if you can summon the courage to look...
Peer into the faces of our warriors in these pictures and see their pain firsthand...lest we forget the price being paid...
Silent tears...crying on the inside...no one said this would be easy, eh?
Father God, give me the courage to stay strong and press on...just as you do all of our warriors who are in the fight.
Chris, I love you son...be safe!
v/r,
- Collabman
A U.S. soldier (C) of 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment sheds a tear during a memorial service for their three fellow soldiers who were killed during clashes last March 25 and April 7, held at a military camp in Baghdad April 16, 2008. (REUTERS/Erik de Castro (IRAQ))
A U.S. soldier (C) of 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment sheds a tear during a memorial service for their three fellow soldiers who were killed during clashes last March 25 and April 7, held at a military camp in Baghdad April 16, 2008. (REUTERS/Erik de Castro (IRAQ))
A U.S. Army soldier from from B Company, First Squadron, Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment weeps during a memorial service for three fallen comrades in Baghdad, Iraq on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
U.S. Army Capt. Jonathan Bradford, commander of B Company, First Squadron, Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment, left, and 1st Sgt. Andre Williams pay their respects to three of their soldiers in Baghdad, Iraq on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
U.S. soldiers of 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, embrace each other after attending a memorial service for three fellow soldiers who were killed during clashes last March 25 and April 7, at a military camp in Baghdad April 16, 2008. (REUTERS/Erik de Castro (IRAQ))
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2 comments:
As I looked at these pictures, the one thing I took away is that even though our warriors have been exposed to the horrors of this war they have not been dehumanized. Their tears show that to me.
Praying for the families and friends of Gumby, Kaz & Lilly. My ds treasured each one of these men. May they all find the strength to get them through. God bless them all.
Praying for our Troops
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