Posted on 06/03/2004 9:54:11 AM PDT by MyBrotherIsAnAmericanHero
Hey Mike, Sorry about getting this off kinda late, been pretty hectic around here recently. Not quite sure what you're hearing from the news, I don't get a whole lot of time to follow it. For the most I feel that the Iraqi people actually appreciate us being here. The attacks that are happening are basically a result of unemployment, and a few terrorists (or whatever you want to call them) paying people off to do the attacks. From what I've heard from the locals around my sector they are pretty much just trying to do what they can to improve their quality of life. But when so many people are out of jobs, they will pretty much do anything they can to make ends meet to provide for themselves and their families. There are many issues that need to be resolved as far as rebuilding their country. And though the people want as many issues resolved as quickly as possible, they can't be resolved that way in an efficient manner. There are already many Iraqi police and ICDC which are basically the guys we are going after, and they use the support of the coalition forces as a cover, so the rest of the people won't be able to fight back. So it may be a long road ahead, but for the large majority of the Iraqi people, they want us here, and they want us to help them rebuild. That always makes me feel good about being here, actually making a difference in these people's lives and giving them opportunities they've never had. It always amazes me how people don't think we should be here. I don't think they really understand what life is like here and how these people were treated. But I suppose most people will never understand that. Well, it's great to hear you're enjoying your new house. I might have to take a trip up there once my time is up. I'll send ya e-mails when I can. Brian
Nor the color of your eyes
yet I know you
as well
as I know myself
I see you in the child that plays
and the flag waving along a gentle breeze
I see you in the smile of a
parent holding their baby close
I see you in the tears
a love one sheds
I see you in the eyes of a nations
pride
I see you in freedoms
finest hour
I see you in the life I
hold so dear
Although your name
I may never know
I will always
be grateful
My deepest sympathies to you and your family.Words cannot express the gratitude I have for families who have sacrificed so much for my freedom.Your brother is a hero.Thank you so much.
My tears and my prayers are for you and your fine family! God bless all of you and please take comfort that all of us here and throughout this country mourn for the loss of your brother.......
ping
Twenty years ago this week, Ronald Reagan asked "Where do we find such men?" while touring the beaches and cemetaries of Normandy. He answered his own question by stating that we find them in the same place we always have, in the villages and towns of America.
He was right, we find them in places like Torrance, California.
May God comfort you in your loss. A grateful nation should always honor the memory of your brother.
Thank you for raising a fine son.
Even though your heart must be breaking, rest assured that you did the right thing in instilling in him a love of country and a devotion to duty.
May God continue to comfort you and your family.
RnMom, please "ping" the gang. I can hardly see, there is this wet stuff in my eyes.
Bump for Brother Jerry .
Worth the read..hankie in hand
Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. We are indebted to your brother for his selfless service to our country in preserving our freedom.
Thank you. I am finding myself wet-eyed at a lot of these comments. Thank all of you. Why is it that so many people out there (I mean out there like in the broadcast centers and newspaper offices of America) don't understand what is going on in this country, in this world? Americans are this incredibly loving, giving people who are there when needed -- whether that need is of a family in mourning, or a nation like Iraq held in bondage. It is our nature, it is our history to protect the weak and comfort the hurt. By ignoring our very nature, and furthering the lies and misconceptions of both our enemies, and those who have political motivations to make us seem less than we are (those may be two definitions of the same people), they hold us back from achieving the fullness of our potential, and block many outside our borders from having the opportunity to experience the wonder that is America. If one were to take what they see and read as reality, Americans are this horrific race of torturers, dominators and haters, yet in the past month and a half since Brian's death, I have seen the vast majority of people as supportive of our troops, patriotic, fed up with being fed doctored information, and generally people who, even without knowing Brian personally, generally greeted me by wiping a tear and giving a hug or a handshake. This whole process has made me so much more proud of my country and my fellow citizens and firmly believing in God's wonder, grace and glory. God Bless all of you, and God Bless the United States of America.
Have just read this post pinged from GRPL. I was meditating on the enormity of President Reagan's life and the lament of David for King Saul and Jonathan his friend. They died in battle also. The lament ends with " how the mighty have fallen and the weapons of war persished!". I trust in a most kind and omnipotent God that he will bring this thought also to mind for you. Your brother, a warrior, believed in his duty and purpose. The weapons of war have now perished forever for him and in God's time will also for the people he died to free.
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