Posted on 05/08/2007 11:18:33 PM PDT by debbieargel
Tonight I cried. I really cried. I miss my son Derek, each and every waking minute. He was,is, and always will be my hero. He did not question his mission, as I'm sure he knew what the majority of Americans do not realize, and that is the real threat we face. He fought for democracy in Iraq, knowing that we face global terror if that is not obtained. He fought for the United States, his family, his son's future, and the continued freedom for the citizens of his country. He loved this President and admired the faith and courage he had in knowing the outcome of failure. For my son, I will continue on this mission. I will continue to ask for Sandy Berger to become a man and take a lie detector test. I will ask the Clinton's to do the same. I will pray for those in Congress to have the strength to invoke the Logan Act on Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid for their part in embolding the enemy. I will pray for the continued strength of the Patriot Guard and the VietNam Veterans who don't want to see this again. I will pray for the help I need to uncover the corruption in Congress, and dismiss those that are guilty. I will pray that our country once again demands that we are, "One Nation, Under God." I don't wipe away my tears anymore. As one wonderful soldier told me at Walter Reed, "It is part of my story." Tonight I cried. I don't want sympathy, nor would my son. He is, and always will be a patroit, a loyal American, and a warrior for the cause of freedom.
Debbie Proud mom of Capt. Derek Argel
God bless you Debbie.
God bless you and give you strength, debbieargel, you are both in my prayers.
Was your son killed or injured in combat? You don’t say, but if so, he deserves our utmost respect for paying the ultimate price in defense of this country. I salute him and you.
God bless you and Derek. I can’t imagine your grief. He died a hero, fighting for each and every one of us here in the US and every country that treasures freedom (including the ones who don’t realize it yet). His purpose was huge and immeasurable.
Air Force Capt. Derek Argel, 28, of Lompoc, Calif.; assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.; killed May 30, 2005 in the crash of an Iraqi air force aircraft during a training mission in eastern Diyala province, Iraq. Also killed were Maj. William Downs, Capt. Jeremy Fresques and Staff Sgt. Casey Crate.
Air Force commando from Lompoc dies in Iraq crash
Associated Press
LOMPOC, Calif. — Air Force Capt. Derek Argel was so dedicated to water polo that he started showing up at high school practices as a fifth-grader.
As he grew older, his intense commitment to the military led him to enroll in the Air Force Academy and head to Iraq as a commando.
Argel, 28, died Monday in a plane crash during a training mission in the Diyala province northwest of Baghdad. Three other U.S. troops and an Iraqi pilot were also killed in the Memorial Day crash.
Argel was assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron based at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The squadron’s missions were often classified and officials refused to say when he was deployed.
Argel was named most valuable player in his high school water polo league, and played the sport at the Academy, where he graduated in 2000.
“He worked exceptionally hard. He never took anything for granted,” Cabrillo High School athletic director Bob Lawrence said.
He said the 6-foot-6 Argel towered over him. “He always leaned over and hugged me. He doesn’t ever leave without saying he loves me.”
Argel, who graduated from the school in 1995, brought his wife and young son with him when he last returned to Lompoc to attend the high school’s annual alumni game in October. He gave his old teachers photos of him in uniform.
“His life was always secondary to the United States of America,” friend David Riley said.
We love you Debbie.
My son’s plane went down in Diyala on Memorial Day, 2005. He was USAF Combat Control, Special Ops. He was on a small Iraqi aircraft on a mission. He went to serve God with Major Brian Downs, Capt. Jeremy Fresques, Staff.Sgt Casey Crate, and Capt.Ali Abass of the Iraqi Air Force.
God Bless you and your hero son - Capt. Derek Argel.
Deep in the night, a prayer from far across the miles...
you are not alone.
I will keep him in mind on memorial day. The Lord be with you.
Sounds like a very honorable man to me. What a shame our best people are sacrificing their lives and limbs for this country while the cowards in Washington play games! Someone please explain to me how reprehensible traitors like Murtha keep getting reelected. I honestly can’t fathom it.
My two sons served there with one is still there until October. Many nights I couldn’t sleep fearing what you now go through. God bless!
I salute your son, and I salute you.
God bless you and your sons. I must say that I was never in fear, knowing that Derek was fighting for what he knew in his heart was right. Capt.Ali Abass felt that way too. I am in close contact with his wife. He was fighting for a better Iraq. He was an honorable man, and the only Iraqi to be buried at Arlington. To your son who is across the pond, God bless you! Deb
Thank you. You don’t want my sympathy, but I can give you and your son my respect. As a USAF veteran who continues to work for the DoD in support of our active duty troops, I salute you! May God bless you!
God bless you, Debbie.
1 Corinthians 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1 Corinthians 15
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
God bless you and your family as well!
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