Quite a while ago, I posted about an anti-war display of makeshift tombstones with the names of fallen heroes on them, above the purported names of Iraqis killed in the conflict. Many family members of those heroes were outraged to have their loved ones' names used - without rank or branch indications - in such a display.

One of those family members was Debey, whose son, US Army PFC Gunnar D. Becker, lost his life on January 13, 2005, while serving his country in Iraq. Gunnar was a Soldiers' Angels adoptee, and very special to all those who were lucky enough to know him, including his fellow Soldiers in Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 63rd Armored Regiment.

Debey occasionally stops by here, and is a blogger herself. She's the one who let me know about the display. When I originally posted about those display markers, I included a photoshopped image of Gunnar's "stone." I photoshopped it because I didn't want to perpetuate the misuse of Gunnar's name.

But today, I think it's important for you to see the contrast between the stone in that display, and the stone in some photos Debey has sent to me recently - Gunnar's stone.

Fitting, isn't it, that Gunnar's stone is so close to the flag?

It would be far better if such stones did not need to exist. But there are people in this world who use toxic gas on innocent villagers because they are ethnically different. And there are people in this world who want to kill you because you don't believe the same thing they believe. There are people in this world who conspire to fly planes into buildings because you don't follow their religion - because you live in a free country that is willing to defend freedom at all costs.

And there are other monsters, too. And they are real.

And because there are real monsters out there, there are Heroes who rise to stand watch, who volunteer to stand in harm's way so you don't have to. Some of them are sent to war. And some of them don't come back to enjoy the life of freedom they so selflessly guarantee to others. Some are lost to direct fire from the enemy. Some, in tragic irony, are victims of accidents, or other causes.

Though it was not hostile fire that killed PFC Gunnar Becker, he was a Hero, pure and simple. He deserved a hero's tribute as his final resting place.

And he got it.

Debey, the stone is beautiful. It does him proud.


NOTE: These photos are shared with the permission of PFC Becker's family. They should not be reproduced or reposted without express consent of same.

UPDATE: Be sure to visit the comments section of this post - we were honored by a visit from Debey, Gunnar's mom, who shares the story behind the "FoReStBuRg_TaNkEr" inscription.

UPDATE 2: Gunnar's grandmother Dianna was also kind enough to visit the blog - you can read what she had to say in the comments section.

Labels: Gunnar Becker