Tonight, we honor the memory of another soldier who perished in service to his country in Afghanistan: PFC Conrado D. Javier Jr. We also hold in our thoughts and our hearts his families and friends, who are grieving the loss of their loved one.
The Jewish people use an expression to refer to good people who have passed on: may his/her memory be a blessing. Although different people believe different things about what, if anything, happens after death, "may his/her memory be a blessing" reflects a more universal sentiment: that the memories of those who have gone can still positively affect and influence those who remain. It is a sentiment of hope and an affirmation of life in the midst of the pain and grief that accompany a profound loss.
In that spirit--either secular or religious, as you prefer--let us remember together this brave, compassionate man, whose only aspiration was to serve his country. May his memory be a blessing, as his life was.
The Department of Defense reports:
Pfc. Conrado D. Javier Jr., 19, of Marina, Calif., died Dec. 19 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.
Diarist’s note: The family of PFC Javier Jr. has asked for privacy as they mourn their loved one. As always, we will respect their request. This diary, therefore, contains only those few details about PFC Javier Jr. that were made available by his sister, but even from just this information, it is clear that he was a special man. Please join us in honoring his life.
It was Conrado Javier Jr.’s lifelong dream to serve his country and his fellow citizens. He started serving early, attending military funerals to honor those who had fallen.
Javier, who was one of eight children, yearned to be in the military since he was 5 years old, his sister said...[he] longed to become an Army officer and an attorney, she said.
At Seaside High, Javier was active in the ROTC program, was a member of the drill team and frequently volunteered to attend funerals and other occasions with the team, she said.
"He was real loyal and real compassionate," his sister said.
Source: The Monterey County Herald
Conrado realized his dream by joining the Army last year. He was so excited about going to serving his country in Afghanistan.
Her brother joined the Army months after graduating from [Seaside High School in 2009].
(snip)
He came home on leave at Thanksgiving before deploying to Afghanistan, she said...After his Thanksgiving leave, she said, her brother "left happy" bound for Afghanistan, saying he would be back next summer for a family trip to Mexico.
Source: The Monterey County Herald
The family trip to Mexico will not happen. On December 19, Conrado was killed by a bomb. His parents spent Christmas bringing their son's body home. Those who loved him are reeling. But the good Conrado did remains in the lives he touched so strongly.
This great man was my platoon leader in JROTC, and even gave me the nickname that has since followed me throughout highschool. He was a great friend, an even greater American and his sacrifice shall not go unnoticed. Conrado "The Demolisher" Javier, you are forever in our hearts, your family is forever in our prayers, and where ever you are, may you smile down on us from Heaven above. You'll be missed, and we love you.
Source: Sam Spade's blog (comment by Danielle)
Conrado is survived by his parents, Julia and Conrado Javier; his seven brothers and sisters; and all of us whose lives he so wanted to protect through his service to us.
Rest in peace, Conrado Javier Jr. May your beautiful, loyal, and compassionate spirit soar free and be at peace forever, and may your goodness live on in the hearts of those whose lives you touched.
According to icasualties.org, 1442 US service members have fallen in Afghanistan, and 4430 have perished in Iraq.
About "I Got the News Today" (IGTNT)
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor service members who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one. Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
The series was begun by i dunno and is maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, SisTwo, SpamNunn, a girl in MI, JeNoCo, true blue majority, CalNM, JaxDem, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Ms Wings, maggiejean, racheltracks, and ccasas. If you would like to participate in writing these tributes, please contact Sandy on Signal.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.