ARS on Twitter
RSS
Thanksgiving 2007: A Tribute to our Troops
Posted by civil truth on November 22nd, 2007
As we sit down today to enjoy the company of family and friends and a special meal, let us call to remembrance and give thanks to our troops serving abroad in dangerous territories to preserve our freedom, and let us also include their families and loved ones and friends to our thanksgivings.
In tribute, I am posting what I believe to be two examples of the nobility of our finest and a reminder of the ultimate price that some have paid on our behalf.
1) Semper fidelis usque ad mortem*
This image of grief etched in the face of 8 year-old Christian Golczynski as he receives the flag at his father’s funeral will likely become one of the iconic photographs of Americans at war. His father, Marine Staff Sgt. Marc Golczynski, was shot and killed while on patrol in al-Anbar province on March 27, 2007, just a few weeks before he was scheduled to return from his second tour of duty in Iraq.
Just days before he left for his second tour, Marc sent a letter to his family that would be his epitaph:
Due to our deep desire to finish the job we started, we fight and sometimes die so that our families don’t have to. Stand beside us because we would do it for you. Because it is our unity that’s enabled us to prosper the nation.
The article goes on to observe that for all that his father may now represent to others, to Christian, Dad is the man who spent time with him and who was teaching him about being a soldier. “He was a hero…he helped our country and tried to stop terrorists,” Christian said.
Marc Golczynski’s commitment to his country has left his son fatherless. But that son still dreams of growing up one day and becoming a Marine.
* “Alway faithful even unto death” – see also Revelation 2:10
2) A general lays down his rank for his troops
I’ll be back later to finish. More details on General Pace at Theodore’s blog.
