I think it was a couple of weeks ago that I talked about Taking Chance a new film based on LTC Michael Strobel's account of his journey with the remains of PFC Chance Phelps to the young Marine's home in Wyoming for his burial.
I first read the story the day after the Operation Homecoming book launch as I flew home to Denver. I've never been more moved by this war - these wars - in my life. I've got to be honest though, I'm not sure if I was so moved by his families loss and The Colonel's witness or if it was my relief that all I got was the 0300 call when BBG was medevac'd out of Iraq. I often feel guilty for this and I feel inadequate when I express my condoloances to the families who have given all in service of our nation. I imagine their sorrow and loss and I ache for them.
I feel guilty because as I wonder on their anguish, I am even more thankful that BBG came home. We may have bad days but we have days.
TIA
Earl
Showing posts with label KIA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label KIA. Show all posts
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Fiddler's Green
The beautiful thing about the military is that you lose track of old friends, switch duty stations, walk into the briefing room and lo and behold - there they are. The years melt away and you fill the gap with stories of wives, children, and the myriad of other things that fill our lives.
I learned today that an old friend's son was killed in Afghanistan last July. I remember when he was fourteen and wanted nothing more than a day with his dad. He died, a cavalryman, saving his soldiers. This one goes out to his mother and father. Nothing we say can ever be enough.
Fiddler's Green (Cavalry)
Halfway down the trail to hell
In a shady meadow green,
Are the souls of all dead troopers camped
Near a good old-time canteen
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler's Green.
Marching past, straight through to hell,
The infantry are seen, '
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marine,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Flddlers' Green.
Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene,
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen,
And so rides back to drink agaln
With friends at Fiddlers' Green.
And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge or fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers' Green.
TIA
Earl
I learned today that an old friend's son was killed in Afghanistan last July. I remember when he was fourteen and wanted nothing more than a day with his dad. He died, a cavalryman, saving his soldiers. This one goes out to his mother and father. Nothing we say can ever be enough.
Fiddler's Green (Cavalry)
Halfway down the trail to hell
In a shady meadow green,
Are the souls of all dead troopers camped
Near a good old-time canteen
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler's Green.
Marching past, straight through to hell,
The infantry are seen, '
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marine,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Flddlers' Green.
Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene,
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen,
And so rides back to drink agaln
With friends at Fiddlers' Green.
And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge or fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers' Green.
TIA
Earl
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