I'm going to write and send a card, and think about what else to maybe send with it. We've lost many of our troops, of course, but I wanted to let her know that this one touches us, that her husband touched us.
I may not send it this week, but maybe next. I remember after losing mom that it was comforting to hear from people who also knew her and missed her or shared some connection, even if I didn't know them. And it was good to hear from people two weeks or even a couple months later. There will be a flurry of activity now, and then people will go back to their lives and that's when the loneliness really sets in.
I don't know, Rick, if they have kids, do you know?
None of the local news reports mention kids, just his wife. I'll let you know if I find out more.
On a much lighter, but still meaningful note, I thought I'd post this email I got today before g'nad does, since he's on the same list.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you're too busy to talk to them for a week.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after years, and will happily carry
on the same conversation you were having last time you met.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Never ask for food.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Are the reason you have no food.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. And Mrs.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Call your parents mom and dad.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Bail you out of jail and tell you what you did was
wrong.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Would be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...we screwed
up...but man that was fun!"
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Cry with you.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowds ass that left you behind.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, "I'm home!"
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Are for life.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences...
MILITARY FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of experiences no civilian could
ever dream of...
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think you've had
enough.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say,
"You better drink the rest of that, you know we don't waste...that's
alcohol abuse!!" Then carry you home safely and put you to bed...
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will talk crap to the person who talks crap about you.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Will knock them the hell out for using your name in
vain.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will ignore this.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Will forward this.