The Christmas Gathering

This is repost from 2007, I thought is was worth sharing again.


The temperature was in the mid twenties and snow covered the ground, as I passed houses adorned with Christmas lights I felt the sparkle of Christmas joy within me. In an unfamiliar neighborhood, I searched in the darkness for the home of a very special family. Upon entering, I felt like I had stepped into Christmas. This home of Austrian immigrants was beautifully decorated for Christmas, with platters of goodies all around and the faces of friends to greet me, I was feeling especially good.

This group of four couples all share a special bond. We had each been the recipient of the infamous knock on the door with two uniformed servicemen awaiting us on the other side. Yes, we were all the parents of sons who had been killed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There were no tears shed that evening. We told stories, laughed, reminisced, and ate lots of food. As the conversation turned to things of real importance, I felt a sense of awe as I realized the true patriots I sat among, their depth of character and true love not only for their families, but for their country.

As we spoke of our sons, as we usually do when we are together, not once did anyone say, “if only he hadn’t gone,” “why did my son have to die,” or “what are we fighting for.” Instead, we spoke of the awesome privilege it is to live in the United States of America, something most people simply take for granted. Bob Lehmiller, father of Sgt. Michael Lehmiller, killed in Afghanistan August 21, 2005, talked about previous wars and the enormous casualty rates they had suffered. We each acknowledged that the casualty rate in our current war is extremely low in light of the great accomplishments that have been made. It was mentioned at the start of the Iraq invasion, servicemen were told to expect 30,000 casualties in the first 30 days. Here we are at 41/2 years into the conflict with a casualty count of about 4,000. Although our personal losses are deep and painful, the overall cost in American lives has been extremely low.

It has become clear that for some of us, parents of sons killed in combat defending our liberties, we see this as a “special duty” we have been chosen for. Our sons paid the highest price possible and we who remain behind are now charged with the responsibility to carry on where they left off. There is so much to do. We have been called on first to be Americans who support our nation no matter the cost. Then we go out into our communities and help others recognize the need to step up and be participants of patriotism and not simply partakers. I am often amazed after finishing a care package project for the troops where dozens of people have volunteered their time, effort and money, to have someone come to me and say “thank you for letting me help.” You see their excitement knowing they have a made a difference in the lives of American servicemen on the other side of the world. They don’t keep their excitement to themselves, they share it with others and their patriotism shows just a bit brighter.

The Lehmillers travel to events across the nation in their truck decked out in camouflage, a Purple Heart and tributes to our military, promoting Operation Salute which supports servicemen and their families in times of need. You’ll find many families of the fallen involved in projects and organizations that are making a difference for our servicemen and our nation. I have found that those who have lost the most seem to have the most to give.

As I started for home that evening, I felt joy and peace in my heart knowing I am part of a very special group of people. Although we miss our sons terribly and feel thier loss every moment of the day, we are proud parents who are honored to serve our nation.

Lt. Andrew Kinard, An Amazing Marine

Lt. Andrew Kinard is an amazing Marine. Back in October of 2006 Lt. Kinard was with 2nd LAR, the unit that had just replaced my son's unit in Rawah, Iraq. Following 2nd LAR's progress in Rawah seemed to help me feel connected to my son Adam, who had been killed in that same town only a few months before. Knowing what was happening there made me feel better somehow. Maybe because that is where my son spent the last days of his life. A piece of my heart was still in Rawah.

Lt. Kinard suffered devastating injures on Oct. 29, 2006 when he was struck by an IED. I have kept up on his progress over the last few years and have been touched by his humble and gracious attitude. He knows God is working in his life and has given him some very special duty. I was honored to meet Lt. Kinard earlier this year. We met simply by chance. I had met one of my heroes.
Read Lt. Kinard's story.

Marine Awarded Silver Star

Moses Cardenas
On one hot August morning near Rawah, Iraq, Lance Corporal Moses Cardenas of the Marines 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion found his platoon barraged by an insurgent suicide bomb, numerous rocket-propelled grenades, and heavy machine gun fire. In the chaotic moments that followed, Cardenas would have to decide between attempting the rescue of his wounded sergeant or remain in his covered position until reinforcements arrived. The choice was simple.
Cardenas thought, "He was my sergeant; I had to do something," and with that he courageously charged 50 meters through the kill-zone to his wounded comrade. Running the gauntlet through enemy fire, he was shot in the neck by the spray of weapons’ fire. Undeterred, he arrived at Sgt. Randy Roedema’s exposed position and performed first-aid to stop the flow of blood from Roedema’s severe wounds.
With both Marines wounded and under the sights of numerous insurgents, Cardenas knew if he was to save his friend he must evacuate both of them to safety. With his M249 Squad Automatic Weapon charged and a grip on his injured sergeant, Cardenas rotated between firing his machine gun and pulling Roedema across the battlefield. Reaching the relative safety of his platoon’s convoy, Cardenas continued laying down suppressive fire until the situation came under control and medics could tend to the wounded Marines.
Cardenas was awarded the Silver Star, the third highest military award. Roedema would later reflect "I owe him my life." Four days after Cardenas saved his life, Roedema’s wife gave birth to their first child – a child that will have a father because of the selfless act preformed by Cardenas on that summer morning in Iraq

Close Guantanamo?

With the approaching inauguration of President-Elect Obama there is increasing talk of closing Guantanamo Bay. As a military mom, nothing riles me more than that topic. So Guantanamo is closed, what then? Do we simply let the detainees go or do we bring them back to the U.S. for “trial?”

Men who were captured on the battlefield probably didn’t get their Miranda rights read to them, which means in a U.S. criminal trial, they win. They probably didn’t have access to high powered attorneys during their stay at Guantanamo, so I guess that means, they win again. The media would be falling all over themselves playing the angle of the poor detainees who were denied "their rights” and suffered greatly under the Bush Administration. There would be an outpouring of sympathy for the enemy. Day in and day out, the media would bring the plight of the detainees before us and make us feel guilty for their "mistreatment."

To most of us that sounds ridiculous but I bet that’s exactly how it would play out. How could anyone in their right mind possibly consider bringing some of America’s worst enemy combatants, those who have murdered our servicemen, to the U.S. for a criminal trial? If we bring them here and are unsuccessful at prosecuting them, would that mean we held them illegally for the past 5 years? Do we then become liable to compensate them for the "injustice" they suffered at our hands? Sounds absurd? No not really.

Maybe we should just send them home. But what happens then? They are free to pick up arms and resume their calling, to kill the infidel and in case we have forgotten, that's us, that's our soldiers, that's our families. We must be insane if we think the bad guys will go home and suddenly feel remorse and grow a conscience. Or perhaps we’ll think they learned their lesson and will be nice to us now.

I take granting any kind of lenience to these men as a direct a assault against all America's service men and women and their families. Do we have so little understanding of all they have done and all they have endured, that we would side with the enemy and disregard and soldier?

Only those who are the very worst enemies of the U.S. still remain at Guantanamo. We sure don’t need to be extending them American rights, and we most certainly don’t need our own government replenishing the battlefield with ruthless killers. Maybe some decisions just shouldn’t be made by politicians. But this is just one mom's opinion.

Marine Corps Birthday Ball

November 10th marked the 233rd birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Five years ago on November 10th as I made my evening commute listening to the radio, I hung on every word as the history of the Corps was described in great detail by the radio host. I was moved by what I heard and somewhat ashamed that much of what I learned was new to me. I felt a connection in some strange way. The host went on to talk about the time honored tradition of Marines celebrating the birthday of the Corps, the gathering (now the Marine Corps Ball) and the ceremonial cake cutting recognizing the oldest and youngest Marines in attendance. When the radio show ended, I remember feeling sad because I wanted to hear more.

The following year my son Adam joined the Marines. He seemed to find his niche in life and became part of a very special family. As he prepared for his first Birthday Ball, the excitement was contagious. Who would think a “Ball” would be so important to a 20 year old, or at least my 20 year old? After months of planning and anticipation, my heart broke as his date stood him up. We later heard he had a great time anyway but it was heart breaking none the less, especially since it would be Adam's only Ball.

Last Saturday, my husband and I attended our fourth Marine Corps Birthday Ball. When our son was killed in Iraq, we inherited his “family,” the Marine Corps. Marines take care of their own. Adam was one of theirs. When he died, they made us theirs as well.

Parents of Marines rarely become part of the Marine Corps family in the way we have. The Marines have watched over us, cared for us and loved us, and by doing so, they have honored our son.

Today November 10, 2008 the 233rd birthday of the Marine Corps, I visited Adam's grave, and there I found a piece of birthday cake from the Ball and a pair of white gloves placed lovingly on his headstone. His family had not forgotten him.

A Little Humor Makes A Great Point

Anticipating a sweeping Democratic Party victory in the November elections, animals that were formerly self-sufficient are already modifying their behavior to take advantage of what they expect to be a new set of societal norms in the next four to eight years. This black bear from Montana has ceased hunting for a living and is sitting outside the US Fish & Wildlife Service office in Kalispell, apparently waiting to be fed and to have his winter den dug by government employees. The residents of Kalispell are calling him "Bearack Obama".

Did We Really Ask For Change?

American’s spoke and said they wanted change. Yesterday Senator Barack Obama became President Elect Obama. Change is what America asked for and change is what we’ll get.

We’ve had the lowest unemployment rates in decades and the highest economic growth, But we want change. Somehow with the sub prime mortgage crisis, we have been able to overlook the last seven years of unprecedented prosperity.

We have not had an attack on our home land since September 11, 2001. Why? Because we fought back. We took the fight to the enemy and have kept it off our home land. We can now more easily track those who seek to destroy us. But we want change. I am sick and tired of hearing how we are violating the rights of the terrorist. I’m sure we’ll see an expanded “terrorist bill of rights” coming soon.

With a laundry list of change to come; higher taxes and punishing the successful, increased restrictions on energy production, more government requirements on employers, decreased public access to fire arms, increased government subsidies - encouraging more of the population to become less productive, a plan to sit down and talk to our enemies despite the fact they have already stated their intentions, limiting voices with views opposing the government under the guise of fairness, and it goes on and on, I'd say change is in store.

Does anyone find it interesting that parties and celebrations were held all over Europe at the announcement of Obama’s win? Does he want to be the world’s President or ours? .

America has a value system and foundation that has set it apart from the rest of the world. Our laundry list of change seems to be patterned after socialist European nations. Is this really the change we want?

Our freedom and all that makes America great must be protected. My concern is once we start down this road we probably will never find our way back. The America our forefathers established and the way of life most American’s cherish, once abandoned will never again be known. That most certainly will be change.

Worthy and Willing to Preserve All You Have Fought To Defend

As a conservative Christian and the mom of a young man who gave his life defending America, I take the election of a new President very seriously. Maybe it’s just more personal to me since my son gave his all for this nation.

We are very blessed to live in the United States of America. I firmly believe that God inspired our forefathers who then set forth the blueprint of what would become the freest, most generous, good and prosperous nation on earth.

As the years have passed many of the foundations on which America was built, have eroded away. It happens little by little. If you look back to where we started and where we are now, the changes are enormous. We were founded on principles where life was valued, hard work was rewarded, and our freedom would not be compromised. Today it is as if the very government that was established to work for the people, is becoming the people’s biggest oppressor.

We all have different views, but my hope and prayer is that the President we send to Washington in January will be one who is determined to hold on to the ideals which birthed this nation and made it great.

What an honor it must be to be named Commander-in-Chief. I hope the person we elect will be equally humbled at the huge responsibility and duty we are entrusting him with. Many of you reading this have worn the uniform and fought for our country and I am deeply grateful to you all. May the next President of the United States be a man who is worthy and willing to preserve all you, and those who have gone before you, have fought to defend.

Cpl.Garrett S. Jones A True American Hero

Article and photos by Sgt. Ray Lewis
Task Force 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force

CAMP BARBER, Helmand Province, Afghanistan – There was blood in the water. It was a grim addition to the Iraqi sewage canal usually littered with dead sheep and festering fish.That’s where the Marines of Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division found their comrade after the attack.Just seconds before, Cpl. Garrett S. Jones was patrolling the streets of Iraq with his team when he was suddenly hurled 15 feet into the air by an enemy booby trap.“It was just a big dust cloud,” said Cpl. Robert C. Pofahl, who stood 10 feet in front of Jones when the bomb detonated. “I ran toward him, and I fell in the canal. The mud was almost up to my knees. It was probably the worst smell you could smell. That’s when I saw the blood in the water.”When Pofahl saw Jones lying there, he feared his friend’s life was cut short. Barely alive, Jones’ life was about to be changed forever. Read more.

Satisfaction In Knowing They've Made A Difference

The story that follows caught my attention and truly warmed my heart. Why? Because they made a difference. This is the city where my son died at the hands of insurgents. In August of 2006, the city of Rawah, Iraq was about at it's worst. Adam's Marine unit had just taken the area over from the Army which had been moved to Baghdad. Later Adam's Captain told us when they read the intelligence on Rawah (where their unit would be moving) "we all knew it was bad news." In a three week period Delta Company lost six Marines and a Navy Corpsman, in two large attacks.

Having heard the stories of how bad Rawah was then, and now hearing how the city has rebounded, chased out the enemy and returned to a "normal" life, gives me a deep sense of satisfaction. You see, a piece of my heart is still in Rawah, that's where my son's life ended. Because Adam was there, and because of what the Marines have done in Rawah over the past two years, we read stories like this one..... What's this I hear about "the war is not winnable?"

'Friendship City' Kicks Off Partnership

Tuesday, 14 October 2008
By Lance Cpl. Joshua MurrayRegimental Combat Team 5

An Iraqi girl holds books and school supplies donated to the Al Moaine elementary school in Rawah, Iraq, Oct. 6, 2008. Marines with Fox Company, Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 dropped off the first donation sent to the children of Rawah by citizens of Towamencin, Pa., which is the 'Friendship City' for Rawah. Photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Murray.

RAWAH — Children at the Al Moaine elementary school scampered down to the entrance to meet the Marines who were visiting to drop off special gifts. They followed the cardboard boxes with their eyes entranced as Marines unloaded them into the schoolyard.
Marines with Fox Company, Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 dropped off the first donation sent to the children by citizens of Towamencin, Pa., which is the "Friendship City" for Rawah.

According to www.towamencin.org, the "Friendship City" program traces its roots to the "People-to-People" program that was inaugurated by the President of the United States in 1956 to establish greater friendship and understanding between the people of the United States and other nations.
The plan to become a "Friendship City" was lead by the mother and father of Capt. Aaron Schwartz, the company commander of Fox Co., who reside in Towamencin. Schwartz’s parents coordinated the program with their son to show support for Rawah’s citizens.
"Thank you so much for this visit to our schools," said Adam Hamed Ghthayan, the director of education for the city, to the Marines. "We will hand out everything brought to different schools in Rawah."

The boxes of donated goods contained everything needed to kick off a soccer season, including soccer uniforms in multiple colors. The Marines also brought other donated goods, such as books and writing materials to help the students begin the new school year. "Funding to get these children properly equipped with the things they need for school is a big problem," said Ghthayan. "Without the supplies they need for school, the quality of their education and their lives are deeply affected."

Once Marines opened the boxes and began distributing the gifts, hundreds of children swarmed to the source. Little hands rose up over the crowd and the sound of "mister, mister please," echoed through the schoolyard. The youngsters gasped in surprise and thanks over pencils, pens and books; items that are usually commonplace in the U.S.

"This is all about the children," said Ghthayan. "Schools have improved so much since 2003. We are looking forward to continuing our work with our friendship city." Schwartz assured the people of Rawah that the relationship between the two cities would continue over the years.

"This is just the first shipment of items from your ‘Friendship City,’" said Schwartz, 31, originally from Hatfield, Pa., to the people of Rawah. "[The people of Towamencin] will continue to send things and they are working on getting an Arabic speaker so they can talk to you directly."

CHOSEN FOR A VERY SPECIAL DUTY

On August 20, 2006 my life changed forever. With a visit to Utah from President Bush scheduled in ten days, I was busy sending out emails to encourage people to turn out for a rally to support the troops and our Commander-In-Chief. Seems easy enough, but with Salt Lake City’s mayor Rocky Anderson leading a protest against the President and the war, aided by anti-war, anti-military activist Cindy Sheehan, we had work to do. As it turned out I was the one who would not be present to show my support because in ten days I would be attending my son’s funeral.

As I diligently tried to organize support for the upcoming rally, the Marines at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City were preparing to pay me a visit. Earlier that day word reached Fox Company that a local Marine had been killed by an IED in Iraq. Now, two casualty officers were on their way to my house. Having hit every website, email group and contact I had that would be supportive of the rally, I was still busy typing when I heard a car door close out front. Without even thinking I reached over to the blinds and peeked through the slats only to see two Marines crossing the street approaching my house. A military mom knows exactly what that means, they don’t have to say a word, you already know.

My son, Marine Cpl. Adam Galvez was with 3rd LAR and had been in Iraq since early March of 2006. We communicated with him often and he was doing well. On July 29, 2006 Adam narrowly escaped death when a suicide bomber detonated a truck laden with explosives outside a building he was in. Four Marines did not survive that attack. After recovering from his injuries and rejecting the offer to come home, Adam returned to camp to resume his duties. On August 20, 2006 in the city of Rawah, a convoy of four Light Armored Vehicles (LAV) started out across town. They left the road to access a knoll from which they could survey the area. The first LAV drove on, the second, the third, then the forth drove across the pressure plate which detonated an IED consisting of multiple artillery shells and a fuel accelerant. They said it was a huge explosion. Miraculously, three of the six man crew survived, the others did not.

A few days later as I sat in my living room with news cameras and reporters, I pleaded with our community to turn out to the rally and show their support for our military men and women who were fighting for us in Iraq. We had to counter the voices that were telling the rest of the world that the U.S. military was killing civilians and destroying Iraqi homes and villages. Unbelievably, these accusations were being spewed by our own government officials and repeated by the media and millions of others who had decided the Americans were the bad guys. The problem is, their words didn’t just play to an American audience. It was repeated world wide and right to the very people who were killing American servicemen, our sons, husbands, fathers…. Yes our own officials as well as American citizens had unwittingly become cheerleaders for the enemy.

August 31st, the day after we buried our son, President Bush sat and visited with our family, my husband and me and our two adult children. It was surreal as we found ourselves discussing world events with the President of the United States, but that was in fact what we were doing. His kindness and sincerity confirmed to me that he made decisions he believed were in the best interest of the United States. There was no personal or political gain, no game playing, just deep beliefs and convictions - there had been no other option. I told the President, the thing that would hurt me the most would be if he brought the troops home before they finish the job. He assured me as long as he was President that would not happen. It is important to me that my son’s death counts, and that it was not wasted.

So much has happened over the last two years, but my beliefs have not changed. I still believe that America must win the war in Iraq and despite the outcry from many to quit because "the war is not winnable," our troops are succeeding. It is becoming more apparent that the hard work and sacrifices have indeed counted. We must have a stable middle east where democracy is alive and well, because that is in America’s best interest. I still believe that we live in a world where evil is present and is set on destroying what is good, yes evil wants to destroy us – America. You don’t have to assume or guess, the radical Islamic extremists have said as much, but somehow in the eyes of some, we’re still the bad guys. Too much is at stake to stand on the sidelines. Yes I have worked in the background, led troop support projects, been part of local and national organizations that promote patriotism and support the military, but I want to do more. As a Gold Star mother I almost feel like I have been chosen for a very special duty. My son has been silenced but I have not. I will carry on where he left off. I won’t face an enemy on the battlefield, but I will work here on the home front supporting our military, getting involved in important issues, and doing all I can to preserve this great nation, the nation for which my son gave his life.

In the weeks that follow, I will share some of my stories and experiences as well as observations on current events -through the eyes of a Gold Star mom.