An officer's tribute to his fallen Marines (not a dry eye in my office when we read this)

World Tribune ^ | 29 May 06 | World Tribune

[LSUfan]

To family and friends and all those back home who support the fight for freedom,

I just sealed the envelope on what I hope to be the last condolence letter I ever have to write. As I addressed the envelope to the mother of my most recent fallen Marine, I inscribed “FREE” on the upper right corner - to denote the lack of postage due to its origin being a combat zone. As I wrote that word, I felt the pen - and my heart - become heavy. Four simple letters, written to denote the cost, or lack thereof, of sending a letter to home from combat. Four simple letters that sum up everything written inside of that envelope. The postage is free; liberty is not. All of the Marines who we evacuated after the horrible IED attack on the night of 01 May have fallen, each at his own time. Yesterday was their memorial service - Memorial Day weekend was an appropriate time for such a service. Moving units around at the last minute to get as many Marines back inside the wire just for the few hours they needed to pay their last respects to their fallen brothers is the type of Memorial Day weekend one experiences during war. I have received quite a few emails from family and those friends who I consider family, wishing us the best during this Memorial Day weekend and thanking us for the sacrifices made. Those people who should be thanked are the ones that won’t come home and those families they won’t come home to.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[JakeSladder]

I heard this on Rush the other day from a Lt. Col in the 'Sandbox'....'Land of the free because of the brave.'

[LSUfan]

Yep. I heard that too. Rush called it a profundity.