If anyone would like to share memories of Shane, or write a message for him, please feel free to do so under this post.
I don't know quite where he is in the universe, but I know he can still feel all of the love that everyone has for him.
Pfc Shane M. Reifert
Shane during a sweep of the Shuryak Valley, approximately 3 weeks before he was killed. Photo Credit: PFC Sean Stromback
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Birds Seen Flying Around, You Never See Them Too Long on the Ground
"Mr. Rager, Tell me where you're going, Tell me where you're headed."
"I'm on my way to heaven."
"Mr. Rager, Can we tag along, Can we take that journey?"
--Kid Cudi's "Mr Rager"
My brother loved music more than anyone I know. He was a talented guitar player and has piles and piles of CDs. Even though MP3s are now the most common way we obtain our music, Shane still much preferred owning CDs. Maybe it was the physicality of it all -- the anticipation involved in opening the plastic wrapper, the sound of releasing the disk from its case, flipping through liner notes. But there were many times when I would take him to Record Time and we would wander aimlessly around the store until we had collected our treasures, arguing about which CD would be played first.
I am much more impatient than Shane, so I would always want to skip ahead. But Shane always insisted on listening to the whole album through, from track one until the end. It was sacred. A ritual for him.
Kid Cudi's sophomore album "Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager" came out today. Kid Cudi was one of the few artists that I got to tell Shane about. He was usually slightly ahead of the pack when it came to music. The first time that Shane listened to Kid Cudi was on family weekend during Basic. We were driving somewhere in Georgia, sitting in the backseat with my parents in the front, just like when we were kids on road trips. He was so very quiet and not sure how to act around human beings who weren't in uniforms. He had a hard time being in a civilian vehicle and not being told what to do. I didn't quite know who he was. So I handed him my ipod, telling him to just listen. And he did, to "Pursuit of Happiness." And Cudi's lyrics were something that touched him deeply. He reached over and squeezed my hand, and I knew that he was still my brother.
I'm not yet able to listen to "Pursuit of Happiness" because it's too much of a close memory for me of Shane. I know it will be a long while before I can hear that song. Before he was killed, "Pursuit of Happiness" was one of the songs that gave me comfort. I would turn it on as loudly as possible in my car and drive to no where in particular, always with the memory of Shane listening to the song in Georgia. I look forward to the day that I will be able to hear the familiar beat and take comfort in the lyrics again.
Today though, in Shane's memory, I listened to "Man on the Moon II" from start to finish, without skipping a single track.
"I'm on my way to heaven."
"Mr. Rager, Can we tag along, Can we take that journey?"
--Kid Cudi's "Mr Rager"
My brother loved music more than anyone I know. He was a talented guitar player and has piles and piles of CDs. Even though MP3s are now the most common way we obtain our music, Shane still much preferred owning CDs. Maybe it was the physicality of it all -- the anticipation involved in opening the plastic wrapper, the sound of releasing the disk from its case, flipping through liner notes. But there were many times when I would take him to Record Time and we would wander aimlessly around the store until we had collected our treasures, arguing about which CD would be played first.
I am much more impatient than Shane, so I would always want to skip ahead. But Shane always insisted on listening to the whole album through, from track one until the end. It was sacred. A ritual for him.
Kid Cudi's sophomore album "Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager" came out today. Kid Cudi was one of the few artists that I got to tell Shane about. He was usually slightly ahead of the pack when it came to music. The first time that Shane listened to Kid Cudi was on family weekend during Basic. We were driving somewhere in Georgia, sitting in the backseat with my parents in the front, just like when we were kids on road trips. He was so very quiet and not sure how to act around human beings who weren't in uniforms. He had a hard time being in a civilian vehicle and not being told what to do. I didn't quite know who he was. So I handed him my ipod, telling him to just listen. And he did, to "Pursuit of Happiness." And Cudi's lyrics were something that touched him deeply. He reached over and squeezed my hand, and I knew that he was still my brother.
I'm not yet able to listen to "Pursuit of Happiness" because it's too much of a close memory for me of Shane. I know it will be a long while before I can hear that song. Before he was killed, "Pursuit of Happiness" was one of the songs that gave me comfort. I would turn it on as loudly as possible in my car and drive to no where in particular, always with the memory of Shane listening to the song in Georgia. I look forward to the day that I will be able to hear the familiar beat and take comfort in the lyrics again.
Today though, in Shane's memory, I listened to "Man on the Moon II" from start to finish, without skipping a single track.
Funeral Arrangements
At this time, we do not yet have funeral arrangements for Shane. But as soon as this information is available, we will be alerting everyone to the details.
Donate in Shane's Memory
Many have started to inquire if they can send flowers and to what location.
My family and I have discussed this option and have decided that, in lieu of flowers, we will be accepting donations that will directly benefit Shane's brothers.
While Shane's fight has ended, his brothers are still fighting in Afghanistan out of the 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, of the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. 100% of the donations will purchase these brave men equipment, gear, clothing (such as gloves or other cold weather gear), or anything else that would benefit them as they continue their fight in Afghanistan. We feel that this is what Shane would have truly wanted. My family and I will be personally overseeing that your donations are getting supplies that Shane's brothers need.
Donors should be aware that donations may be used to support other soldiers, dependent upon the number received.
How Can I Donate?
You can donate directly via this blog site, using the PayPal "Donate Now" button.
1. Click the "Donate Now" button, located on the right hand side of the screen.
2. Enter your donation amount.
3. Click "Update Total."
4. If you have a PayPal account, use the "Log In to PayPal" box and enter your account information.
5. If you will be donating by credit card, click "Continue" under the text "Don't have a PayPal account" in order to donate.
UPDATE
If you do not have a credit card or PayPal account but still wish to make a donation, you can make the check out to Kathleen Reifert (my and Shane's mom) and send it to:
105 Fairbanks
Suite 200
Marine City, MI 48039
Please be aware that even though the check is to my mom, this is at this time the donations are going into a joint back account she shares with my brother. 100% of all donations will directly benefit Shane's brothers who are still fighting.
My family and I have discussed this option and have decided that, in lieu of flowers, we will be accepting donations that will directly benefit Shane's brothers.
While Shane's fight has ended, his brothers are still fighting in Afghanistan out of the 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, of the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. 100% of the donations will purchase these brave men equipment, gear, clothing (such as gloves or other cold weather gear), or anything else that would benefit them as they continue their fight in Afghanistan. We feel that this is what Shane would have truly wanted. My family and I will be personally overseeing that your donations are getting supplies that Shane's brothers need.
Donors should be aware that donations may be used to support other soldiers, dependent upon the number received.
How Can I Donate?
You can donate directly via this blog site, using the PayPal "Donate Now" button.
1. Click the "Donate Now" button, located on the right hand side of the screen.
2. Enter your donation amount.
3. Click "Update Total."
4. If you have a PayPal account, use the "Log In to PayPal" box and enter your account information.
5. If you will be donating by credit card, click "Continue" under the text "Don't have a PayPal account" in order to donate.
UPDATE
If you do not have a credit card or PayPal account but still wish to make a donation, you can make the check out to Kathleen Reifert (my and Shane's mom) and send it to:
105 Fairbanks
Suite 200
Marine City, MI 48039
Please be aware that even though the check is to my mom, this is at this time the donations are going into a joint back account she shares with my brother. 100% of all donations will directly benefit Shane's brothers who are still fighting.
Gone But Never Forgotten
My name is Elizabeth Reifert and I have created this in memory of my brother, Pfc Shane Michael Reifert. Shane died on November 6, 2010 in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan. He died while fighting with his brothers of the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, out of Fort Campbell.
PFC Shane M. Reifert was fighting at the tip of the spear in the War on Terror at COP Able Main, a small, rugged outpost in the Peche River Valley. He and his Brothers of 2nd Platoon, Bravo Co, 1/327 101 ABN engaged the enemy on a daily basis. They were recently part of a complete sweep of the Shuryak Valley where they killed or captured a long list of high value targets with the entire US Force coming out of it intact. They also were involved in Operation Strong Eagle and Strong Eagle II where there was very heavy fighting.
Shane served as the platoon RTO for the first 5 months of his deployment and trained his replacement for that job before he came home on leave in late September. We are grateful for the time we had with him while he was on leave. When he returned to Afghanistan, he reverted back to his original position a grenadier on a fire team which was his desire. He lived to be a front line infantryman.
Shane was my only brother. He was my mother, Kitty Reifert's, only son. He was my father, Kurt Reifert's, only son.
PFC Shane M. Reifert was fighting at the tip of the spear in the War on Terror at COP Able Main, a small, rugged outpost in the Peche River Valley. He and his Brothers of 2nd Platoon, Bravo Co, 1/327 101 ABN engaged the enemy on a daily basis. They were recently part of a complete sweep of the Shuryak Valley where they killed or captured a long list of high value targets with the entire US Force coming out of it intact. They also were involved in Operation Strong Eagle and Strong Eagle II where there was very heavy fighting.
Shane served as the platoon RTO for the first 5 months of his deployment and trained his replacement for that job before he came home on leave in late September. We are grateful for the time we had with him while he was on leave. When he returned to Afghanistan, he reverted back to his original position a grenadier on a fire team which was his desire. He lived to be a front line infantryman.
Shane was my only brother. He was my mother, Kitty Reifert's, only son. He was my father, Kurt Reifert's, only son.
He was so very much loved.
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