Patriotic Moment - Local Man Returns From War

A local man came home from Afghanistan this week.

He arrived draped in an American flag.

Spc. Kevin J. Graham was 27-years-old.

While I've tried to protect my anonymity here, I believe I owe him this much. Here is the article in its entirety. American Hero

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Kevin J. Graham, 27, of Benton, Ky., died Sept. 26 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.


In annother article, Kentucky Solder Killed in Afghanistan, his minister says that Kevin felt he was doing his life's work. He was married and had a step-son.

If his parents and wife choose to bring him home for burial, I will be pulling all of my children from school to stand by the side of the road as he is brought home to be laid to rest. As far as I'm concerned, school should be closed and every business should shut down as we bring our young man home. He is a true hero, as all military personnel are, but he will never gets to hear us say "Thank-you." It will be our one chance to do so and to let his family know how much we appreciate his service and how much we are supporting them in their time of loss. Please remember them in your prayers.

Thank-you, Kevin.

Death of a Soldier

My cousin's son is serving in Afganistan. He was in a vehicle that was following a transport or something that was fired upon. His friend was killed. My cousin's vehicle hit a road bomb, but it was a heavily armored one and T is okay.

I found out late this afternoon.

I was emailed the following link tonight. I wish I could embedded it on my blog. Please go there and watch and listen. It's a song written by some American soldiers. It's called "If I Die Before You Wake". It's hitting me pretty hard right now as it came close to home.

Here are the words:

Back home now I know you're probably sleepin'

Over here it's the middle of the day

I finally found the time to write a letter

Sittin' here a half a world away

I heard about all them folks protestin'

As if I really want this war

But that don't stop me from believin'

There's just some things worth fightin' for

CHORUS

And if I die before you wake,

I pray the world will take

A good look at what God's given us

That we could only understand,

everything is in his hands

All we need is a little faith and trust

I want you to know it ain't too high a price to pay

If I die before you wake

Tell everybody that I miss them

And I can't wait to get back home

But until then I'll serve my country

And be proud to wear this uniform

CHORUS

No it ain't too high a price to pay

If I die before you wake