My cousin has just made the ultimate sacrifice.

[Barn Owl]

I have just spent the day at my Aunt's house. We found out this afternoon that my cousin Jesse Clowers Jr. died in Afghanistan due to an IED. He was in the Special Forces and truly loved the work he was doing for our county. He was just an all-American young man, 27, married 2 ½ years, 2 year old boy and a daughter that was born in May while he was away. He was due back at the end of September. It breaks my heart to know his little girl will never know her fathers touch. My aunt's only request now is a simple one; all she wants is to see her "baby boy" one last time. She is praying that the bomb didn't tear him up to where that's not possible. Jesse was the youngest of three; he has two older sisters, his father died in '94.

I was on vacation this week, going to take the bus to the beach, and it looks like it will be the second trip I will cancel due to a death in the family. Some of you remember me talking about a D.C. trip last June. That got canceled when my niece, 10 years old, died in her sleep. My greatest fear in life is to put one of my own children in the ground. This will be the second time I will see a parent lean over, stroke their child's hair and give that one last I love you, that one last kiss. I don't know how parents survive such tragic heartbreaks.

My youngest brother grew up with Jesse; they were the same age, best friends. My brother also got married 2 1/2 years ago, has a 2 year old girl and his wife is expecting their second baby at the end of Sept. We found out several weeks ago he is leaving for Afghanistan in February.

Until today, this was only something I read about in the paper, or heard on the radio. It has now touched me on a personal level. I never new the devastation it could cause a family. Tomorrow I will wake up and no longer will be one of the millions who go about everyday life oblivious to what it takes to keep us a free people.

I pray that God's justice is swift for those that work evil and His tender mercy comforting for those who are left behind suffering.

[Tom Y]

Barn Owl, I will pray with you also.   Tom Y

[bobofthenorth]

Our thoughts will be with you.  You are right - parents are not meant to bury their children - it turns the whole fabric of our lives inside out when it happens. 

[Busted Knuckle]

You and your family have my deepest sympathy! I know that there aren't any words that can lesson the pain, but I want you to know our prayers are with you and your family!
I too recently had a close and heartbreaking experience such as yours only it wasn't a family member but still hurt very deeply to know those involved!
Not long ago we were contacted about transporting some troops from Paducah, to Benton, KY (the town my parents live in) For the Marshall County Guard Unit that were coming home from an extended tour in Iraq, they were supposed to have only spent 12 months over there but had been stuck there for 18 months! We donated the transportation to show our support for the troops! Well the lead man of the unit was just so excited to be able to be home to see his 14 yr old daughter! Well when the bus pulled up his daughter was the first one to the bus and jumped up and hung tightly around her daddy's neck hugging him for a long time, it brought tears of joy to everyones eyes! Well that night they showed the whole thing on the news, including that particular father/daughter reunion! But the news the next morning brought more tears, only this time they were not tears of joy!  The morning news story was about the daughter getting killed in a car crash the very night her daddy came home! I cry everytime I think about him, her, my cousin (US Navy SEAL), or any other of our service men or women over there fighting this stupid senseless war! Our country has no business over there and the troops are doing their jobs as directed by our stupid president! It just makes me so angry to see the heart ache, heart breaks, and hardships that are being placed on our service members for George W's stupid personal vendetta! JMHO! BK

[cody]

BK said everything I've wanted to say, we've all been touched in one way or the other by this war, right or wrong I have a hard time when I see the news about another one loosing his or her life there, I understand that some wars have to be fought but I just can't see how this one was needed or necessary.  I'm a vet myself, part of a war that seemed to drag on forever with no favorable end result and I see many parallels here.  I apologize for climbing on my soapbox but I've lost friends there too.

[Dallas]

Laryn,

There are no words that can convey how I feel. I also have a fear of having to bury one of my own children.

Many years ago, after I got back to the world, I was placed in charge of the honor guard from our unit. We practiced diligently for weeks and months without being called out because there were other honor guards in our regiment that had much more experience.

Finally we were called to go from our base, (Ft. Lewis, Wa.), to Lolo, Mt. for "The" duty.
We rode many hours on that old green bluebird bus, a lot of us griped and complained of being tired, dirty, hot, and cramped....
Until we got to the church where the funeral was being held.
From that point on, we were totally professional. All weariness and discomfort was gone.
We stood at attention, carried the flagged draped coffin, traveled to the cemetery, fired our weapons, folded the flag, and I was the one that presented it to the mother of the 20 year old who had been killed in some jungle.
I can to this day recall the look in her eyes, questioning why this had happened, why she was here, why it couldn't have been any of thousands of other soldiers.
Tears flowed freely from my eyes, for I felt her pain, and the only answer I could give her was a salute.

I did many other trips after that one and they never got easier. Now that I'm old and fat and turning grey, I worry that my son or daughter or my step son may be called up at any time. I'm not certain how I will react if the positions are switched and I'm the one that's in the chair instead of standing with the folded flag.

I would give just about anything in this world if I could take the place of just one of our service men or women in harms way. I've lived my life and have made my messes. They are just starting and need every chance they can be given.

I will pray for your Aunt, I will pray for Jessie. I will also pray for your younger brother. But, most of all, I will pray for you, so that IF the time comes, you can be strong and allow yourself to grieve until you get through the loss. We will be here for you.

Dallas

[grantgoold]

Barn Owl, my family and I wish to thank your family for your cousin's ultimate sacrifice. I can only say thank you from the bottom of our collective hearts. I strongly believe the true heros of our times are those men and women who continue to fight, fight not solely for the United States of America, but fight to maintain and support the concept of LIBERTY. 

It is up to all of us to remember, no matter our political leanings, that LIBERTY is not free. Liberty never has been and never will be! We enjoy our unprecedented LIBERTY because of the blood of countless heros.

My GOD bless your family and especially the wife and children of this fine young solider.  They will meet again!

Grant Goold and Family

[NewbeeMC9]

We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.

[John Z]

There are some wonderful thoughts and feelings expressed here. I cannot add anything to those. I too will add your family to my prayers. God bless you all.
John Z

[FloridaCliff]

Laryn,

Are thoughts and prayers are with you and you Family.

Your Cousin is a "Real Hero" to me in a world where that word is grossly over used.

Grant wrote: It is up to all of us to remember, no matter our political leanings, that LIBERTY is not free. Liberty never has been and never will be! We enjoy our unprecedented LIBERTY because of others blood of countless hero's.

Grant, Thank your for you eloquent words.

Cliff

[maria-n-skip]

Barn Owl,

   I'll be real honest with you that I have been having a tuff time with your post. Though my loss has not been near as great as
you and your family. I'm at 13 days and praying daily for a return to a joyious heart. I will add you and your family to my prayers.

May God speed your families recovery from this tragic event.


Skip

[Songman]

Barn Owl,

My heart goes out to you and your family. You are right about the pain of losing a child. My wife did just that and it still haunts her although it has been many years. Please pass on our condolences to your family, and also let them know that we appreciate the pride this brave young man had for this country.

While I don't think this is a place for people to voice their political bad feelings, I will counter with saying that there are a lot of us that know that sacrifices by brave young men like this are exactly why we enjoy the lifestyles and freedoms we have in this country. It has been said that 'Freedom is not free' and every man and woman who has ever put on a uniform to pay that price for the rest of us has a place in my heart.

My prayers are with you.

[Ncbob]

Sincere condolances on the loss of your cousin.  Would that all our men and women in uniform could do their jobs safely and return to their families.

But that's not War is about. It takes a loss such as your to bring the reality of war home to each of us.

Were I Commander-in Chief for just three days I would make these Faciast Islamic rebels understand that America has a low tolerance for the waste of valuable lives. But I'm not...and won't be.

I lost a son this summer, at 43, not as a War casualty but through foolishness....his.

His daughters will never understand because they're too young. No Dad wants to outlive his children...for whatever reason.

Bob 

[superpickle]

Always tears my heart to hear of another service man lost !
My best wishes for you and the familey from another Beat up Old Fat Nam Vet  .

Prayers to you.
Paul...

[brojcol]

I cannot imagine anything more horrible than losing my son who just turned six this month.  Everytime I think about losing one of our soldiers, it reminds me that they die to keep my son from having to fight the same war in a few years.  

My grandfather and his twin brother fought in WWII.  My great uncle flew a bomber and was highly decorated.  He used to give presentations to schools and churches and anywhere they'd ask.  He showed videos and gave commentary on what was happening (very fascinating).  He once told me, "we all fought in that war because we didn't want our children to have to fight."

"War is the remedy that our enemies have chosen, and I say let us give them
all they want."  William T. Sherman.

We didn't start this war, but be damned if we ain't gonna finish it.