From a Gold Star

I have been crying for the last hour. Here is another beautiful article.

I wonder if the Zembiec family will end up putting their hero’s name into Google time after time, searching for some clue as to if this really is true. I don’t know how to explain it, but sometimes, in the past anyway, I lived, combing over each article to do with Aaron. I called his old phone number to hear another voice. I searched. High and low. I don’t know when that part of the grief left me. And now, here I am, doing it with the Major. But you know what? That’s okay. The job of every good troop is to protect their leader, to lay down their life for their leader, if need be. That’s one of the reasons I’ve always admired Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North; he laid it all down.

Major Zembiec and Sergeant Major Skiles are amazing to me. When Aaron was first killed, it was because of these men and their strong words, strong purpose, that caused me to believe that Aaron’s death was an honorable thing. Yes, deep down, I already knew that—way before I understood what all transpired that day. Details come later. Still come. But sometimes, you need the words. They gave them to me. Then. Now.

God bless each of you and the Marines you each served, trained, and like Billy said, the many who will pass on the tales of your leadership to their own young sons and daughters.

It is such a long road. Let us travel it together. It’s too hard alone.

Cry, talk, share toasts and laughter. Hug, cry. Please cry for these powerful men and women who give their lives and the lives of their families for you and me. For our babies, and their babies.

Well, I didn’t mean to write, but to share pure poetry with you from someone who was there.

Thanks, Chantal, for passing the article I'm speaking of, posted below, on to me. For loving. For sharing. As long as there are articles about our heroes, gUnZ uP will share them. God only knows there are enough articles about rapists, perverts and thieves. Let’s blow the blogosphere away with the good news of them all. They are every bit as powerful in death as they are in life, and this Gold Star will honor them until she goes to be with them.


Semper Fi! Semper, Semper Fi!