"I stare out into the darkness from my post, and I watch the city burn to the ground. I smell the familiar smells, I walk through the familiar rubble, and I look at the frightened faces that watch me pass down the streets of their neighborhoods. My nerves hardly rest; my hands are steady on a device that has been given to me from my government for the purpose of taking the lives of others.
"I sweat, and I am tired. My back aches from the loads I carry. Young American boys look to me to direct them in a manner that will someday allow them to see their families again...and yet, I too, am just a boy....my age not but a few years more than that of the ones I lead. I am stressed, I am scared, and I am paranoid...because death is everywhere. It waits for me, it calls to me from around street corners and windows, and it is always there.
""There are the demons that follow me, and tempt me into thoughts and actions that are not my own...but that are necessary for survival. I've made compromises with my humanity. And I am not alone in this....
And to think, I volunteered for this...."
Please join me over the fold as we say good-bye to two soldiers who are gone too soon, one of whom wrote the words above.
Sgt. Edmund J. Jeffers: You are my hero, always have been, always will be
The paragraphs above are excerpted from the essay, "Hope Rides Alone," originally published on February 1, 2007, by Sgt. Edmund J. Jeffers. "Eddie," as his family and friends called him, died September 19 in Taqqadum, Iraq, in a non-combat related accident that is under investigation. Eddie was in the 2nd Infantry Division’s 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. This was his second tour of duty in Iraq.
A talented and eloquent writer, Eddie frequently posted his observations on various blogs. More of his work can be seen here, along with a tribute by a friend of his father, who had this to say about the 23-year-old soldier.
"Eddie Jeffers was more than a name on a page to me. He was a part of the spirit of America that has soared for over 200 years - a young man who loves his country enough to fight for her and to speak out for her, a young man of profound faith in God and in America, a soldier who believed in his mission and was willing to tell us all how much."
Jeffers joined the Army in 2003. He served for a year in South Korea, and was sent to Iraq for the first time in August, 2004. During that tour, his mother, Tina Kelly, posted her concerns online.
I want to ask for you all to pray that this war gets over soon and that no more lives will be lost. I am so very proud of all the soldiers and what they are doing there, I miss my son Spc.Edmund J Jeffers, he is in the 503rd inf. unit in Iraq. It's been almost a year since I have seen him, like many other moms I am sure they worry as much as I do, so please let’s keep all our soldiers in our prayers for their safe and speedy return. Tina (Horner) Kelly class of 84
Eddie’s myspace page is filled with photographs, favorite music and details about his life and his love for his wife, Stephanie.
"I like music, video games, mixed martial arts (both spectating and competing), and partying with my friends. I’m happily married to Stephanie Jeffers, who is my best friend and light of my life."
This same page is now also the site of tributes from family members and friends who are devastated by his death. As his sister, Becky, wrote:
Eddie,
I cannot even begin to explain how I feel right now. But im sure you know, you always knew. You knew me better than anyone. Im so broken...and you usually help me when Im like this. I dont know what to do anymore. I miss you so much. I love you with all of me, and I KNOW you KNOW that. Thank you for being such an amazing big brother. When I had nothing, I always had you. Please watch out for me and the rest of the family. I miss you so much. You are my hero, always have been, always will be. I love you so incredibly much.
And from his wife, Stephanie:
Baby...always know that I love you, that you will always be my heart, that you will always be my soul. I still can't believe this, please tell me it's not true my love.
In spite of the fear and hardships he faced in Iraq, Eddie maintained his passionate pro-war stance, which he felt put him at odds with what he saw as America’s growing reticence to continue the battle.
In his closing words of "Hope Rides Alone," he wrote: "Let’s stop all the political nonsense, let’s stop bickering, let’s stop all the bad news and let’s stand and fight! Isn’t that what America is about anyway?"
Rest in peace, Eddie Jeffers. Your moving words and your brave service will not be forgotten.
Pfc. Christian M. Neff: He wanted to serve his country
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Christian M. Neff, 19, of Lima, Ohio, died Sept. 19 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Christian ("Chris") Neff was so determined to be a soldier that he enlisted in the Army before he graduated from Apollo Career Center and Shawnee High School in 2006.
Darin Grimm, who had Chris as a student in his computer applications programming classes, told the Toledo Blade: "That's what he wanted to do. He wanted to serve his country."
Apollo Superintendent Chris Pfister told the Lima News " the school’s community is mourning Neff’s death."
"He was a nice young man," Apollo Superintendent Pfister said. "It’s very sad. He was a fine young man. You hate to hear that."
Paul Nardini, now superintendent of Shawnee Local Schools, remembered Neff from middle school days when Nardini was principal.
"He was a good kid. His parents were always very supportive," Nardini said. "He was a very kind person. It’s just a shame."
When Private Neff came home on leaves, he returned to the school - in full uniform - to visit his teacher, often addressing Mr. Grimm's students about preparing for the future.
"His thing was, 'You need to apply yourself at everything you do - whether you think it's relevant or not,' " Mr. Grimm told the Toledo Blade.
An honor roll student, Chris was active in both his school and his community. He served on the student council, was an officer with the Business Professionals of America’s local chapter and attended Shawnee United Methodist Church.
Again, from the Toledo Blade:
"He was all about the grades," his friend Allison Pollock said, remembering how much emphasis he put on academics as well as organizing food drives, fund-raisers for local charities, and recycling days at the career center through its student organizations.
A photograph of Chris in uniform can be seen at the Blade's website.
Chris is survived by his parents, Bill and Nancy Neff, and his sister, Shannon, who is a senior at Apollo. School officials have asked his family’s permission to plant a tree or place a stone monument in his memory in Apollo's veterans’ memorial garden.
"He didn't have an opportunity to live his life," Mr. Grimm said. "But I know he really loved what he was doing."
Rest in peace, Chris Neff. Your brave service and your sacrifice will not be forgotten.
The Iraq Coalition Casualty Count reports that total number of US casualties confirmed by the Department of Defense is now 3790, with 4 additional deaths pending notification of relatives. Fifty-two American soldiers have died just this month. The DoD news releases can be found here. Other sites have stories, video, pictures and remembrances, including: Honor the Fallen and Spread the Word: Iraq-Nam, which is maintained by Kossack spread the word IRAQ NAM.
All these service people had friends and loved ones. Please visit the Iraq Veterans Memorial for a moving look at how a few of their survivors remember them. It will break your heart. If you'd like to help our soldiers, consider sponsoring a soldier at TroopCarePackage.com or anysoldier.com. Operation Helmet and Fisher Houseare also wonderful organizations that offer additional opportunity to help out American soldiers.
Finally, if you would like to assist the animal companions of our deployed military, information is available here. Animal companions can provide such solace and comfort.
About the IGTNT series:
IGTNT stands for "I Got the News Today." The phrase most likely refers to the Beatles’ song, and it is meant to symbolize that terrible knock on the door that any number of families got today, bringing with it the news that a loved one has died. IGTNT is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind.
Click hereto see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and is maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, silvercedes, MsWings, noweasels, blue jersey mom, chacounne, twilight falling, Wee Mama, greenies, labwitchy, roses, joyful, sistwo and me, moneysmith.
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.
If you would like to help out with IGTNT -- even once a month -- please get in touch with silvercedes, Sandy on Signal, noweaselsor monkeybiz.