In shock...sobbing

We've lost one of my boys.  Just a matter of a few weeks before he was to be coming home, & now he's taken away from this world.  Rick Dewater, a young PFC, was killed yesterday by an IED.

I sent him I don't know how many boxes of goodies.  His Dad, Bob, was always on AnySoldier, making us all laugh, sharing his communiques from Rick.

Oh God.  I don't even know what to say to Bob.  There's nothing I CAN say.

I AM SO ANGRY!!!  WHY DO WE HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD THAT HAVE TO HURT OTHERS?  WHY ARE WE ******G THERE???  WHY???  WHY DO WE KEEP SACRIFICING OUR KIDS FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT ANYONE??

WHY?



Rick...my darling...you KNOW you were loved by soooo many.  You brought joy to your family, to your friends, to your fellow brothers in harm's way.  You are a Hero's Hero.  Watch over your brothers from Heaven & whisper in God's ear to keep them safe.

I will miss you so much.

Thank you.

Ann,

OMG!! I am so sorry. I know the military is scary. My husband is Army and it is hard enough to let your soldier go to war and fear for them every second. It breaks my heart every time I hear of another great soldier being taken away from us. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time of sorrow.

Ann, Sorry to hear the news as well.  My hubby is also active duty Army and I know the feeling and fear as well.  That being said, it doesn't make it easier for anyone.  Prayers for the family.   

So sorry for a dear life lost. May his soul rest in peace.

May GOD give his family strength to get thru this difficult time.

Oh poor Bob.  There should be a chaplain and a casualty assistance officer assigned to help him in this great time of need.   He should not have to pay to receive his son's body.  It should all be covered with his son's SGLI (insurance).   I hope he gets the help he needs soon to relieve a little bit of the stress.

((Ann))) so very sorry for yours and everyone's loss, lys

Thank you all so much for rallying around me & around Rick's family.  When I first got the news, I found myself automatically coming here, to my sisters & brothers, because I knew I would get the love & support that I need.

So many of us are hurting, but nothing can compare to what his family is going through.  People are working on getting funds together so that Bob can go to Delaware to receive his beloved son.  The military does escort casualties to their home, as well as help the family through all the tedious paperwork, & helps them make arrangements.  Mike did it a couple of times when we were stationed in AZ.  But families are usually on hand when our heros return to American soil & Bob just doesn't have the funds.  He will soon, though...of this I have no doubt.

As for me, thank God I have this trip to keep me distracted otherwise I would be a puddle on the floor.  I am honored & blown away by all the emails that are flying back & forth between us all on AnySoldier.  We celebrate our heroes as a family, & we mourn the loss as a family as well even though we aren't family by the traditional sense. 

I sure wish I could get my emotions under control though.  I'm sick at my stomach, suddenly burst into to tears, & then back to business...up & down & up & down.  I'm bloody well exhausted.  And everytime I take a moment to acknowledge how I am feeling, I find myself immediately envisioning Bob & his family & wish so much that I could wrap my arms around them & comfort them.  And all the other families that still have soldiers over there...so many are scared & worried.  It doesn't help that there's a blackout on communications right now.  Not being able to hear from them on a regular basis just makes us all crazy!  I thank God every day that MY son was spared...that he only had to go to England instead of Iraq or Afghanistan.  This could have just as easily been Chris, ya know?

Cindy called me & mentioned that some of you might want to send cards to the family.  As soon as I have better information, I will pass on an address.  Probably won't be until I get back from Ohio though.  I won't have internet access where we're going.

Again, thank you all for your love & support.  Ya know...this just strengthens my committment to continue my mission of sending aid for as long as we have American troops in that stinking valley.  It's swiftly becoming known as the Valley of Death.  I so wi**** wasn't so.

So sorry to hear about this. Prayers going out to his family and to the troops still in Iraq.
Cindy

Thank you, Cindy.  Minor correction though...my boys are in Afghanistan, but certainly ALL our military heroes need our love & prayers.