Lubbock family mourns the loss of a second son

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41 posted on 07/26/2006 1:46:34 PM PDT by daybreakcoming ("We will not tire. We will not falter. We will not fail")

To: Wings-n-Wind

I just hope no one tries to "disrupt" this funeral.

42 posted on 07/26/2006 2:06:53 PM PDT by hispanarepublicana (Don't fall for the soft bigotry of assuming all Hispanics are pro-amnesty. www.dontspeakforme.org)

To: hispanarepublicana

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall inherit peace. This is more than one family should be asked to provide. I pray the peace which passes all understanding envelops the Velez family. God bless the Valez family. Lord, damn the fascists to the lowermost parts.

43 posted on 07/26/2006 2:14:13 PM PDT by Texas Songwriter

To: WestTexasWend

"We've done what the Lord allowed us to do for our country."

What grace. Bless this family.

44 posted on 07/26/2006 2:23:04 PM PDT by radiohead (Hey Kerry, I'm still here; still hating your lying, stinking, guts you coward.)

To: Texas Songwriter

Some Lubbock funeral homes host online registries. I'll keep everyone updated.

45 posted on 07/26/2006 2:23:58 PM PDT by hispanarepublicana (Don't fall for the soft bigotry of assuming all Hispanics are pro-amnesty. www.dontspeakforme.org)

To: WestTexasWend

OMG, this so sad, my heart breaks for this Dad.

46 posted on 07/26/2006 2:25:19 PM PDT by BlueAngel

What grace.

Most succinctly, accurately, and--well, gracefully--said.

47 posted on 07/26/2006 2:26:21 PM PDT by hispanarepublicana (Don't fall for the soft bigotry of assuming all Hispanics are pro-amnesty. www.dontspeakforme.org)

To: WestTexasWend

Local radio report just said Mr. Velez said the "pain is almost unbearable except that they know how many people are praying them through this."

Please keep those prayers up, everyone.

48 posted on 07/26/2006 2:32:47 PM PDT by hispanarepublicana (Don't fall for the soft bigotry of assuming all Hispanics are pro-amnesty. www.dontspeakforme.org)

To: WestTexasWend

Thanks for posting. I'll be praying for this family. What a hard thing to face, but how genuine they are in how they face it.

49 posted on 07/26/2006 2:35:09 PM PDT by Kaylee Frye

To: hispanarepublicana

I share your concern and hope for a peaceful mourning.

I would simply prefer to make a statement of honor and extraordinary gratitude to this incredible family.

If the topeka/westboro rabble dares show up shouting their heresy....

I hope they bring ther lunch --- it's likely to be a long afternoon...

50 posted on 07/26/2006 2:35:47 PM PDT by Wings-n-Wind (All of the answers remain available; Wisdom is gained by asking the right questions!)

To: WestTexasWend

My heart goes out to that family.
T.

51 posted on 07/26/2006 2:39:35 PM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)

To: Wings-n-Wind

I was born and raised here, and therefore I know you're exactly right.

52 posted on 07/26/2006 2:40:57 PM PDT by hispanarepublicana (Don't fall for the soft bigotry of assuming all Hispanics are pro-amnesty. www.dontspeakforme.org)

53 posted on 07/26/2006 2:47:03 PM PDT by usmcobra (If we take our political stance from a letter behind a name we lose sight of what is right and wrong)

54 posted on 07/26/2006 6:18:14 PM PDT by hispanarepublicana (Don't fall for the soft bigotry of assuming all Hispanics are pro-amnesty. www.dontspeakforme.org)

To: hispanarepublicana

I'll second your bump for a most worthy cause. Any word on which funeral home will handle Andrew's services?

55 posted on 07/26/2006 6:25:43 PM PDT by shezza (God bless our military heroes)

To: WestTexasWend

Prayers for this family in their time of grief. God grant them strength.

56 posted on 07/26/2006 6:29:05 PM PDT by MikefromOhio (Hi. This is the artist formerly known as MikeinIraq. Your message is being forwarded to /dev/null.)

I haven't heard anything about the services, but I've been out of pocket early this evening.
JFC?

57 posted on 07/26/2006 6:32:06 PM PDT by hispanarepublicana (Don't fall for the soft bigotry of assuming all Hispanics are pro-amnesty. www.dontspeakforme.org)

This story reminds me of the story of the Sullivan's in WWII - they lost ALL 5 OF THEIR SONS.

This made me think of the letter Abraham Lincoln wrote to Mrs. Lydia Bixby.

"I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts, that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom."

58 posted on 07/26/2006 6:47:55 PM PDT by JavaTheHutt (I'm JavaTheHutt, and I approve of this message.)

To: hispanarepublicana

Updated story for Wednesday here. What an awesome, inspiring man their father is.

59 posted on 07/26/2006 6:53:06 PM PDT by shezza (God bless our military heroes)

To: WestTexasWend; shezza; Wings-n-Wind; Chena; Liberty Valance; yellowdoghunter; All

I'm in tears again..........THE FATHER'S WORDS, FROM KCBD.COM.

Lubbock Family Copes With Loss of Second Son

The Velez family is coping with the loss of their second son. Family members were notified Tuesday that 22-year-old Andrew Velez was killed in action in Afghanistan. He is the brother of Freddy Velez who was killed in Iraq in 2004. Freddy was 23-years-old. Father, Roy Velez tells us it's faith, and knowing his boys are in a better place, that keeps him going.

"I can only tell you that it's not easy. It has got to be the most horrific thing that I've ever gone through in my life, and maybe the most exciting thing. When your sons get promoted to heaven, what can I say," said Roy Velez. "I was notified at 12:30 p.m. yesterday (July 25th). The soldier stepped out, and I looked at him until I got up to the door step, and he said we need to talk to your wife also, and I said it's about Andrew and he says lets go inside, and I said no, I don't want to go inside. I said, is my son dead, and he said yes," continued Roy.

"I feel like somebody has taken chains and just raked them through the inside of me, sir. I feel like I am heartless. I'm not angry anymore. If this was destiny, if this was their plan, then so be it. Yesterday (July 25th) was a tremendous shock, and it was like somebody just took a sledge hammer and just hit your heart so hard and knocked me into a deep hole, but today (July 26th), I can see that they are together again as brothers. Their relationship was that of respect and courage and truth and one with out the other wouldn't work, but together now, forever and for eternity, and now it's just my job to get from here to there, and to keep on loving," said Roy.

"I think the only thing that really helps me, that really gets me through this is that somebody out there, somebody in the city of Lubbock, somewhere through our great county is praying me through," added Roy.

That's what Roy and his family ask, to keep his family in prayer. Roy tells us a good friend of Andrew's is bringing him back to the states. That will take around seven to ten days. The family has not set up services yet. We'll let folks know when they do.

60 posted on 07/26/2006 6:53:23 PM PDT by hispanarepublicana (Don't fall for the soft bigotry of assuming all Hispanics are pro-amnesty. www.dontspeakforme.org)

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