I have made my theories and opinions known many, many, MANY times about the need to support our men and women in uniform and their families.

The same holds true for our fallen heroes. They and their families deserve the same support and dignity that we would pay to those who still walk the earth; perhaps more because they have paid the ultimate price, so that we may be free to have our opinons about war or just anything.

The Soldiers' Angels family has experienced many losses of adopted soldiers recently - one loss is too many. And although these heroes were not blood relatives or coworkers, there is still a part of us who weeps and mourns as though it was our own brother or sister or neighbor who is gone.

I try not to make it a point to check the casualty list very often, but when I do go there, I can't help but scroll down that long list of names. The part that I think many people either don't want to, or can't realize is that every one of those names is a human being connected to a family and friends and an existence that will forever be changed because they are no longer part of the living world. They leave people behind - people who will never be made whole again - people who will hurt and feel grief and feel as though a part of them has also died.

When a soldier is lost, some of us may forget that those closest to that soldier do not get time to grieve - they have to get up and do their job - they must drive on to get the job done. And they do - they drive on.

We can tell the people who are left behind that their pain will go away in time, we can tell them that God won't give us what we can't handle or That which does not kill us makes us stronger or any other cliche ever invented. But the reality is that there is nothing anyone can do or say to make things better. We can only pay tribute to our fallen heroes, offer our respects, and every time we take a breath of air, remember those who gave all to provide us the blanket of freedom we sleep securely beneath every night.

To our soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen - your loss is our loss - you lose a brother or sister in war, and we lose a vital component of our freedom. You are on the frontlines, and we will support you always. Never feel alone, for you have an entire country of people who feel indebted to you for the sacrifices you have made just to do what you are doing. We are here, and we care - we will be your shoulder, we will be your rock, we will be your beacon in the storm to guide you back home.

To angels and families - just as our heroes have a job to do - so do we - we must continue with our support and encouragement so they will always know that not even one of our men or women in uniform died in vain. They must drive on, and so must we - until the last one comes home.

The song that is attached to the site linked below was adapted from a poem written during WWII for fallen heroes - amazing how something some 60 years later still holds the same truth and significance as it did then.

Take care all.

Much love.

Ingrid

http://home.fuse.net/wizardpygal/usa.html