May the good Lord provide the way for his family and friends to get over the phase of grieving and have loving memories of him, knowing he performed his duties with a high level of excellance. Yet another hero ready to report to Heaven’s gates.
From: The Death of a Soldier...The Life of a Patriot
The Death of a Soldier...The Life of a Patriot
USA Frank Salvato, Managing Editor
September 21, 2007
What is a patriot? What is a hero? We throw these words around a lot these days and we bestow them on those who most often don’t come close to warranting the honor. From athletes to artists, dissenters to politicians and movie stars, our society holds some of the most undeserving people in high esteem.
So, what is a patriot? Who really should be designated a hero?
Patriot: A person who loves, supports and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion. – Dictionary.com
Hero: A man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. – Dictionary.com
Last February my publication ran an opinion piece by a young US Army sergeant named Eddie Jeffers. Eddie was serving in one of Iraq’s hot-spots, Ramadi Iraq. His job was the hard job: clearing buildings, disrupting terrorist cells and operations, everything that we imagine when we think of what it must be like for our soldiers who are “in the thick of it.”
After reading Eddie’s piece the first time I realized the true definition of patriotism, of heroism. It isn’t about voicing dissent or exercising free speech. It isn’t about achieving political change or affecting the world politick. And while there may be some credence to the notion of standing up for what you believe in that’s only one component.
Patriotism, heroism, is providing the protection so that others can freely voice dissent and participate in politics. A patriot takes up the banner of devotion to our country dedicating himself to the principles and ideology that make up its foundation. A hero has the courage to defend those principles, that ideology, so that others may enjoy liberty.
At 7am on September 19, 2007 in Ramadi, Iraq, on a sweltering Iraqi summer day, a good friend whom I knew but never met, a true American patriot and a hero died. US Army Sergeant Eddie Jeffers died in the service of our country, fighting the enemy on Iraqi soil so that we don’t have to fight them on ours. He died protecting the innocent among the Iraqis so that they might benefit from the same principles and ideology that afford us the freedom to even consider debating the legitimacy of the conflict in which he fought.
Through the tears of anguish I cried upon hearing the news I felt a genuine anger beginning to envelop me. I felt the injustice and inequity that comes with experiencing the death of not only a 23-year old, but a genuine and fine individual. But then I began to contemplate the words Eddie chose to share with us from Ramadi, Iraq, an earthly hell which he endured and will never return from. I reflected on his concerns and his worries and I realized that anguish and anger – in the context of his sacrifice and the sacrifice of his family – are selfish.
I am not related to Eddie, but I feel a special brotherhood with him. I will be celebrating Eddie's life, saluting his honor and I am motivated by his service and dedication, his patriotism and heroism, his memory, to make sure that our country does right by his life.
I will not surrender to the visionless where this conflict is concerned. Instead, I will engage them with facts and foresight. I will not give-up on the mission in which Eddie was engaged simply for the pressure to do so. Instead, I will employ the realistic understanding of the consequences of quitting before the mission is through. I will not retreat because it is the popular thing to do, rather I will rely heavily on the truth of the matter, enlisting facts and reason in an effort to make others understand the cost of defeat. And I will not fail.
Most importantly, I will make sure that Sergeant Eddie Jeffers has the last word on his thoughts and feelings about both his mission and what is now his destiny.