Wednesday, June 27, 2007
"Sheltering us from the true cost of Freedom..."
Those were words of Major Chad Sundem at Fort Lewis about three men this week, as he presided over a memorial service for Stryker brigade members. The city of Lakewood is part of a "community connector" program that has provided Lakewood with a large corps of young, strong volunteers. But now the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry is under fire abroad; it is time for Lakewood to show its respect for them. So the city of Lakewood is sending official delegates to their services.
On Tuesday, four of us represented city government in Lakewood: yours truly; my wife Cindy; Councilwoman Helen McGovern; and Charlene Richardson, whose husband, Doug, is a general in the Reserves and was in service elsewhere. And of course former Mayor Bill Harrison and other folks from the community were also there. Those of you who have been with me from the beginning, at the Lakewood Journal, can imagine how unworthy I felt to be in the second row of the chapel with other chosen members of the community.
A News Tribune story about this and other services can be found here.
I hope you have never had to attend one of these because you lost a relative. If you have never been to one, you might be interested in what the program looks like. My wife, who works at Madigan, notes that each of these men were promoted early in their careers. They had so much promise.
The men mourned on Tuesday were:
Sgt. Cory M. Endlich, who was remembered for his enthusiasm, his collection of mechanical items and his love of visiting Tactical Tailor.
Sgt. Danny R. Soto, who was remembered because when he said 'Good morning,' it was because he really wanted you to know it was a good morning.
Cpl. Zachary A. Grass, who was remembered as a dedicated soldier who also loved watching sports on TV late into the night.
The service has been with me and Cindy all week. These men died for us. Cindy keeps thinking it could have been any of her students at Madigan. When the division returns, Lakewood will enshrine their names and the names of other heroes at the veterans memorial outside City Hall. It seems so appropriate, and yet so insufficient.
These men died for us.
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On Tuesday, four of us represented city government in Lakewood: yours truly; my wife Cindy; Councilwoman Helen McGovern; and Charlene Richardson, whose husband, Doug, is a general in the Reserves and was in service elsewhere. And of course former Mayor Bill Harrison and other folks from the community were also there. Those of you who have been with me from the beginning, at the Lakewood Journal, can imagine how unworthy I felt to be in the second row of the chapel with other chosen members of the community.
A News Tribune story about this and other services can be found here.
I hope you have never had to attend one of these because you lost a relative. If you have never been to one, you might be interested in what the program looks like. My wife, who works at Madigan, notes that each of these men were promoted early in their careers. They had so much promise.
The men mourned on Tuesday were:
Sgt. Cory M. Endlich, who was remembered for his enthusiasm, his collection of mechanical items and his love of visiting Tactical Tailor.
Sgt. Danny R. Soto, who was remembered because when he said 'Good morning,' it was because he really wanted you to know it was a good morning.
Cpl. Zachary A. Grass, who was remembered as a dedicated soldier who also loved watching sports on TV late into the night.
The service has been with me and Cindy all week. These men died for us. Cindy keeps thinking it could have been any of her students at Madigan. When the division returns, Lakewood will enshrine their names and the names of other heroes at the veterans memorial outside City Hall. It seems so appropriate, and yet so insufficient.
These men died for us.
