Times of War

"In times of peace, sons bury their fathers. In times of war, fathers bury their sons."

~ King Croesus

 

Pearl Harbor

Today is the 69th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Please take a moment out of your day to remember those who died in the attack and the many others who were left with holes in their hearts as a result of the attack. 

If you're interested in learning more, National Geographic has a comprehensive page dedicated to Pearl Harbor. 

Thank you to everyone who died on that fateful day 69 years ago. Thank you to those who keep their memories alive. 

More Soldiers Killed from 1-327

From the DOD:


Five men from Alpha Company of the 1-327 were killed in action on November 14, 2010.

            Spc. Shane H. Ahmed, 31, of Chesterfield, Mich.

            Spc. Nathan E. Lillard, 26, of Knoxville, Tenn.

            Spc. Scott T. Nagorski, 27, of Greenfield, Wis.

            Spc. Jesse A. Snow, 25, of Fairborn, Ohio.

            Pfc. Christian M. Warriner, 19, of Mills River, N.C.

According to The Long War Journal, a significant number of soldiers from Alpha Company were wounded. May those wounded make speedy and strong recoveries. 

When my mom heard that these 5 brave men died, she said, "That's five more sad families." That's something I never contemplated before Shane was killed. Before, whenever I heard that a solider had been K.I.A.ed, I would only think of the soldier and how the loss of his life was tragic. Now, however, I think beyond to the parents, siblings, wives, girlfriends, friends, and community of that soldier. I know that Shane's death affected many individuals -- even complete strangers -- and my heart aches for the many others will be affected by the deaths of the 5 brave men from Alpha Company. I know that the next couple weeks for the families of these soldiers will be a whirlwind, and I will keep them in my thoughts. 

   

Untitled.

Shane mostly corresponded with everyone back home through Facebook messages. I was re-reading some of the messages we had exchanged, and I wanted to share a message that I sent to him right after he deployed to Afghanistan. I am sharing this so that others know what families experience when their soldier deploys, and what a soldier feels as he is about to begin fighting in a war.

From: Elizabeth Reifert

To: Shane Reifert

Date: May 8, 2010

Time: 1:23 p.m.

i don't know how often you will have the internet. but you were right i guess about me not really dealing with the fact that you will be gone for up to a year. i guess i hadn't really noticed because i had had people around me for the last few nights and didn't even have to sleep alone because there were just friends here and i didn't have to think about anything. but then last night i was all by myself. i didn't have any school work. there wasn't even anything really on tv. and it was just kind of sad and lonely. and then this morning i made the mistake of watching an episode of the pacific on hbo and i just cried and cried like a big baby. so i guess i won't be watching any more of that. although it was really good.

i think about you being in the desert. in a place that is unfamiliar and strange. i have no idea what you are going through. or what you are about to go through. i know that you won't be the same person when you come back from all of this. i don't think you could go through being through a war and not be changed. i know it will change me and everyone else who you hold in your heart, as well. but i can't imagine what it will be like for you.

this isn't a very uplifting email. i wish it was. i'm sorry. 

Click "Read More" to see Shane's response to me.

“I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, “Mother, what was war?” – Eve Merriam

To any veterans who are reading this, thank you for your dedication, heart, and service to our country.  

 

I think that most Americans take our veterans for granted, and the wars in which we are currently involved for granted. Everyone goes about living their lives, forgetting that there are men still fighting for our freedom and for the freedom of others. Because of Shane's death and my many conversations with his brave brothers who are still serving our country, I am especially reminded how important today, Veterans Day, is and how we must all express our gratitude to our troops in whatever way possible -- through a prayer, handshake, or a simple moment out of your day to contemplate the life that a solider has and may currently still be living to protect America. 

 

I have many veterans in my family and I am equally proud of all of them. Today, as my family and I plan Shane's funeral arrangements, I will be ever more cognizant of our veterans and eternally grateful for those who answered the call.

 

"Our thanks to those who answered the call,
Who took up the challenge, and gave their all.
God bless those more brave than me.
So that we can live in this Land of the Free."