SGT Eddie Jeffers "Hope Rides Alone" Died in Iraq Today

New Media Journal ^ | February 1, 2007 | SGT Eddie Jeffers

[Barbarian6]

Hope Rides Alone

USA Sgt. Eddie Jeffers, USA (Iraq) February 1, 2007

Editor's Note: This piece by Sgt. Eddie Jeffers, "Hope Rides Alone", was mentioned in a segment on Fox News Channel's O'Reilly Factor. Click here to listen to or download the segment.

I stare out into the darkness from my post, and I watch the city burn to the ground. I smell the familiar smells, I walk through the familiar rubble, and I look at the frightened faces that watch me pass down the streets of their neighborhoods. My nerves hardly rest; my hands are steady on a device that has been given to me from my government for the purpose of taking the lives of others.

I sweat, and I am tired. My back aches from the loads I carry. Young American boys look to me to direct them in a manner that will someday allow them to see their families again...and yet, I too, am just a boy....my age not but a few years more than that of the ones I lead. I am stressed, I am scared, and I am paranoid...because death is everywhere. It waits for me, it calls to me from around street corners and windows, and it is always there.

There are the demons that follow me, and tempt me into thoughts and actions that are not my own...but that are necessary for survival. I've made compromises with my humanity. And I am not alone in this. Miles from me are my brethren in this world, who walk in the same streets...who feel the same things, whether they admit to it or not.

And to think, I volunteered for this...

And I am ignorant to the rest of the world...or so I thought.

But even thousands of miles away, in Ramadi, Iraq, the cries and screams and complaints of the ungrateful reach me. In a year, I will be thrust back into society from a life and mentality that doesn't fit your average man. And then, I will be alone. And then, I will walk down the streets of America, and see the yellow ribbon stickers on the cars of the same people who compare our President to Hitler.

I will watch the television and watch the Cindy Sheehans, and the Al Frankens, and the rest of the ignorant sheep of America spout off their mouths about a subject they know nothing about. It is their right, however, and it is a right that is defended by hundreds of thousands of boys and girls scattered across the world, far from home. I use the word boys and girls, because that's what they are. In the Army, the average age of the infantryman is nineteen years old. The average rank of soldiers killed in action is Private First Class.

People like Cindy Sheehan are ignorant. Not just to this war, but to the results of their idiotic ramblings, or at least I hope they are. They don't realize its effects on this war. In this war, there are no Geneva Conventions, no cease fires. Medics and Chaplains are not spared from the enemy's brutality because it's against the rules. I can only imagine the horrors a military Chaplain would experience at the hands of the enemy. The enemy slinks in the shadows and fights a coward’s war against us. It is effective though, as many men and women have died since the start of this war. And the memory of their service to America is tainted by the inconsiderate remarks on our nation's news outlets. And every day, the enemy changes...only now, the enemy is becoming something new. The enemy is transitioning from the Muslim extremists to Americans. The enemy is becoming the very people whom we defend with our lives. And they do not realize it. But in denouncing our actions, denouncing our leaders, denouncing the war we live and fight, they are isolating the military from society...and they are becoming our enemy.

Democrats and peace activists like to toss the word "quagmire" around and compare this war to Vietnam. In a way they are right, this war is becoming like Vietnam. Not the actual war, but in the isolation of country and military. America is not a nation at war; they are a nation with its military at war. Like it or not, we are here, some of us for our second, or third times; some even for their fourth and so on. Americans are so concerned now with politics, that it is interfering with our war.

Terrorists cut the heads off of American citizens on the internet...and there is no outrage, but an American soldier kills an Iraqi in the midst of battle, and there are investigations, and sometimes soldiers are even jailed...for doing their job.

It is absolutely sickening to me to think our country has come to this. Why are we so obsessed with the bad news? Why will people stop at nothing to be against this war, no matter how much evidence of the good we've done is thrown in their face? When is the last time CNN or MSNBC or CBS reported the opening of schools and hospitals in Iraq? Or the leaders of terror cells being detained or killed? It's all happening, but people will not let up their hatred of President Bush. They will ignore the good news, because it just might show people that Bush was right.

America has lost its will to fight. It has lost its will to defend what is right and just in the world. The crazy thing of it all is that the American people have not even been asked to sacrifice a single thing. It’s not like World War II, where people rationed food and turned in cars to be made into metal for tanks. The American people have not been asked to sacrifice anything. Unless you are in the military or the family member of a servicemember, its life as usual...the war doesn't affect you.

But it affects us. And when it is over and the troops come home and they try to piece together what's left of them after their service...where will the detractors be then? Where will the Cindy Sheehans be to comfort and talk to soldiers and help them sort out the last couple years of their lives, most of which have been spent dodging death and wading through the deaths of their friends? They will be where they always are, somewhere far away, where the horrors of the world can't touch them. Somewhere where they can complain about things they will never experience in their lifetime; things that the young men and women of America have willingly taken upon their shoulders.

We are the hope of the Iraqi people. They want what everyone else wants in life: safety, security, somewhere to call home. They want a country that is safe to raise their children in. Not a place where their children will be abducted, raped and murdered if they do not comply with the terrorists demands. They want to live on, rebuild and prosper. And America has given them the opportunity, but only if we stay true to the cause and see it to its end. But the country must unite in this endeavor...we cannot place the burden on our military alone. We must all stand up and fight, whether in uniform or not. And supporting us is more than sticking yellow ribbon stickers on your cars. It's supporting our President, our troops and our cause.

Right now, the burden is all on the American soldiers. Right now, hope rides alone. But it can change, it must change. Because there is only failure and darkness ahead for us as a country, as a people, if it doesn't.

Let's stop all the political nonsense, let's stop all the bickering, let's stop all the bad news and let's stand and fight!

Isn't that what America is about anyway?

Sergeant Eddie Jeffers is a US Army Infantryman serving in Ramadi, Iraq.

[debm29palms]

Did you think before you posted that?

My husband joined the Marine Corps because that was what he aspired to do his ENTIRE life. In fact, there is not one single thing on the face of this earth that he wanted to do BUT BE A MARINE. HE LOVED THE MARINE CORPS. Every single deployment he went on he believed in the cause. And he was in for 13 years. HE WAS IN THE GULF WAR. He was getting ready to re-enlist in country for the 4th time. He was committed to defending our country and our beliefs his entire life.

Before you speak, you should THINK. You do not speak for the ones that serve. YOU DON’T SPEAK FOR THE ONES THAT FELL. You don’t have that right.

[debm29palms]

Forgive me, I absolutely meant men and WOMEN. My Mother-in-Law, Don’s Mom, is a former Marine.

I am very sorry about that.

We certainly are graced by God to have very fine women as well!!

[LucyJo]

"We certainly are graced by God to have very fine women as well!!"

I was counting you, and all military wives, among those fine women. : )
There is not enough thanks to give for the sacrifices our military families make for all of us.

[rochester_veteran]

freema,

That was powerfull!!!

Thanks so much for putting that together!

[rochester_veteran]

Thanks for posting to the D&C Forum discussion on Eddie, I really do appreciate it!

[LucyJo]

Oh, you’re welcome. I was very happy to have the opportunity to do it.

[freema]

Alas, I can not take the credit, my aunt sent it to me.

The timing could not have been more appropriate.

My deep condolences and gratitude to the family.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

A troll!! Aefields..Get out you slime ball!

A hero dies and you go on Freeper on 9/21/07....

go to you know where. Stay on your own site where you can write this smut!!

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

save your energy ..see my post 148...this guy is a troll.

How disgusting to come on and get people upset who have lost loved ones, or have someone serving. Maybe he is one of those idiots that goes to the funerals with sick signs!

[Marine_Uncle]

I continue to hold my hand out to vets and active duty military when I meet them in public. It is the least any American citizen can do.

[davidlachnicht]

aefields may not be a troll (but I am NOT defending his words; I condemn them as neither the time nor the place for that sentiment).
Find out more about Oregon's own aefields @ http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=off&q=aefields&btnG=Search

[duck duck goose]

Your post brought me to tears. Thank you for your support of our Troops and for posting this.

[victim soul]

Thank You, American Hero, and thanks, Luv W, for this beautiful tribute. I hope his family gets this link.

[kcvl]

U.S. Army Sergeant Eddie Jeffers of Daleville is the latest casualty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. News 4 spoke with Sergeant Jeffers family and friends on Friday.

It’s a time of “terrible sadness”, but at the same time “immense pride” for Sergeant Eddie Jeffers family. On Tuesday, Tina Kelly learned that her 22-year-old son was killed in Iraq.

Sergeant Jeffers was a member of the First of the 503rd, based at Fort Carson, Colorado.

The family has been told that Eddie, along with members of his unit, were killed when their vehicle “overturned”.

Tina Kelly, Eddie’s mother said, “He joined the military to honor his grandfather, his father. He did what he needed to do and was proud of it. We are proud of him.”

Sergeant Jeffers married his high school sweetheart, Stephanie, two years ago. She along with other family are in the process of heading home to Daleville:

Ethel Spann, Eddie’s grandmother said, “I now am worried about two more grandchildren about to go over there. I hope it can be resolved so we can bring these boys and girls back home.”

Several of Sergeant Jeffers articles on his war experiences have been read by President Bush and members of Congress.

Daleville High School Teacher Gwen Trinker remembers the 2002 graduate as generous. “When they come into my class in uniform, I tell them that I’m proud that there willing to give their lives for me and their country. I’m proud of them.”

Sergeant Eddie Jeffers body will soon arrive in Dover, Delaware and be returned home to Daleville next week.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.

[kcvl]

Tina Kelly holds a photo of her son Eddie Jeffers who was killed Wednesday in an accident while serving in Iraq.

"Ooooooooh what a ride" might have been what U.S. Army Sgt. Eddie Jeffers said on his way to Heaven on Wednesday, his 8-year-old sister Hannah Kelly told their mom, Tina Kelly.

"But my son doesn’t want to be remembered sadly. He would want us all to be smiling, to remember him skateboarding, working at Wendy’s, playing in his band ‘Fighting the Vanna White Influence," she said. "And that he liked beer and hated drinking girls. He loved his wife Stephanie (Reeves Jeffers). And he wanted children - he was going to try to go stateside as a recruiter after his tour was over in January. He was the oldest of six children, and had a stepsister."

"The Real Deal in Ramadi" was a book he had not completed. The first line read, "As requested by my father." Kelly said Jeffers’ father will finish writing the story for his son.

[kcvl]

He wrote an essay, “Hope Rides Alone,” backing the war in February for the conservative Free Republic web site that gained wide notice. He suggested that the American public was ungrateful.

http://tinyurl.com/25qmjk

[kcvl]

Jeffers’ MySpace page carries a message from his wife, Stephanie, apparently written just after she learned he had died: “Baby . . . always know that I love you, that you will always be my heart, that you will always be my soul. I still can’t believe this, please tell me it’s not true my love.”

Last month she had written this message for his MySpace page: “I miss you and love you sweetheart! Come home already!”

[red irish]

My heart is broken and the only consolation I can expect is for this young man to receive Jesus with open arms. My daughters boyfriend is over there on his second tour. This is very hard for her. He was here a month ago and they had three wonderful weeks together. I love them all so much as if they were my sons and daughters. God bless them and keep them close to his sacred heart.

[kcvl]

Eddie Rides With Jesus

In a dangerous, deadly, hostile land,
Rode a brave and courageous man.
He fought evil and despair,
Around every corner, everywhere.

He had ideals, dreams and goals,
Keeping his men alive and whole.
Sgt. Eddie loved his brave men,
And fought to get them home again.

He wrote from his heart so deep,
From his pain and made us weep,
For the truth he penned cut like a knife,
To the heart and soul of American life.

We suffer not as our soldiers die,
We go on our way and pass by,
The crippled veteran, the sad bride,
Whose husband bled and died.

Our soldiers give their blood, their life,
In an effort to end the horrible strife,
Should not we support and care for them,
As they fight to protect us from harm?

Let us change! Start something new!
Show our troops we love them too!!
Let’s get off our duffs, get busy now,
And show them we know when and how!

Send them cards, cookies and cheer,
Do it from our hearts and sincere.
Love them and let them know we care,
In every way, and all through the year!!

Sgt. Eddie has not died in vain,
His cause is ours, we will remain,
Faithful to the dreams he held so dear,
Freedom, freedom both far and near.

Sgt. Eddie has left the scene,
He rests with Jesus, so serene,
His duty done, in a distant land,
His hope has reached a peaceful end.

Eddie’s hope no longer rides alone,
He rides with Jesus, no more groans,
His head held high, feeling joy unbounded,
Through streets of gold with angels surrounded.

We miss you Eddie, wish you were here,
But we know God has called you up there.
Rest well Eddie, your mission is completed,
God’s love for you will never be depleted.

Father in Heaven, Please hold Eddie close to your heart,
Comfort him for us, even though we are apart.
Thanks for the years he lived with us too,
May his life bring great glory and honor to you.

We ask this in the Powerful Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and by his shed blood, in the Power of the Holy Spirit, Amen and Amen

Cliff Jones September 19, 2007

http://tinyurl.com/37nudz

[DieHard the Hunter]

Say it ain’t so!