Eric was a Green Beret. He loved his country. When things fell through and his unit wasn't deployed to Iraq, he found a way to go as a "consultant." This was a couple years ago, back when we thought the Green Zone was just that ~ safe. He and the two other "consultants" he worked with were marked, were followed, were targeted. See, Green Berets ~ every single one of them ~ carry a bounty on their heads, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of where they are or what their doing or if they are wearing berets or baseball caps on their heads. At least they used to and I don't see any reason for that to have changed. And Eric was very, very good at his job. So he was marked, was followed, was targeted.
Apparently, the three of them were sitting outside, having a coffee. They were in the Green Zone so they weren't "on" the way they would have been had they been downrange. It was the first attack in the Green Zone. It would be the first of many ~ but it was the first. And because it was the first, they thought they were safe. Or at least as safe as they could be. Who knows if their radars ever went off or not.
It took a while for the three bodies to get back to the States because they had to sort through the remains to make sure each family got the right person. Because he wasn't there in "an official capacity", they sent him home in a shipping crate. The SGM pulled himself up into the body of the plane, said "He doesn't come out like this", found a flag and three of the men from Eric's unit and brought out that shipping crate with all the honors it deserved, as if it was the casket and memorial it deserved. Eric deserved.
For many years, the company had 63 men. My boys ~ all 63 of them. There are fewer of them now. Eric was only the first. And technically, they aren't "my" boys any longer. But they still are. Every single soldier over there is "mine". And yours. And ours.
Please, enjoy your picnics and your parties. Seriously. Life should be celebrated by living. And, at the same time, remember why were are celebrating. Remember why we have a day off, here at the beginnning of the summer. Remember my friend, Eric. I do.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
6 comments:
Great post and sentiment.
Tears rolling down my old cheeks...
tears for Eric...
for the Sarge...
for all the lives touched by this unfolding tragedy...
and those of ages past.
Thank you for your kind words when you visited!
alan
Please tell me why those 63 men are your boys. Email if you'd like. Thank you for this reminder of what today is all about. Whether we agree with this war or not, the reason for today is the same. I'm trying to get up the chutzpah to go to the cemetery today to visit my mother. This is the first year her grave has a flag. Peace.
Beautifully written dear....
I remember a time, not so very long ago.... when the focus was not on the beach, parties and barbeques'.
The day was spent watching parades, attending services and visiting cemeteries. It was about respect.
Once again, America found a way to commercialize this very important holiday.
Have a wonderful week!
DON~
This was so touching. Thank you!
I read and I remember. They were your "boys", but they were mine too. I only met one, I loved him a little more than the others but I prayed then as I do now, that they will return home safe and sound. I sit here and cry openly greiving for the ones who did not make it home, for their wives who will never hold there husbands/boyfriends again, for the children who will never meet,kiss or talk to their fathers/mothers again, to the parents who will never talk to their babies again. The pain has to be insurmountable and enormous. I always personally thank any soliier I see in uniform and the Poo does too, she may only be 4 but she knows the uniform and knows these are very special people. I urge you all to do the same, they need to know we care. If you know a veteran, give them a hug let them know you appreciate their sacafice. Whether we agree or not with the war we owe them all a huge debt we can never repay. To the ones before them, to the present ones and the ones to come. Thank you and may whatever God you pray to bring you home safe and sound. I love you all. M
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