21 years old from Forks, Washington
3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force
July 29, 2006
L/Cpl. Jason Hanson died when a gasoline truck near a building he was in exploded, causing the building to collapse in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Three other Marines were also killed in the blast. Lance Cpl. Anthony E. Butterfield, 19 yrs. old, of Clovis, California; Cpl. Phillip E. Baucus, 28 yrs. old, of Wolf Creek, Montana; Sgt. Christian B. Williams, 27 yrs. old, of Winter Haven, Florida.
Hanson graduated in 2003 and joined the Marines in 2005. He married his wife just before shipping out.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
4 comments:
You know, Michelle, I never have understood why soldiers haven't gotten the respect they deserve since WWII and Korea. I was around and able to form cognitive thoughts during the Vietnam war and had many an argument over how people were treating the returning soldiers, many of whom were classmates of ours. It was criminal. People just didn't seem to get that they were not the people responsible for that war. They were doing what their commander in chief sent them to do.... shit.. and it continues to this day. Not so much railing against the vets as then, but some. And even picketing the funerals of the fallen... Some people have no sense of respect or dignity.
I'd better get off my soapbox. This is one of those things that absolutely chaps my butt. Thank you for remembering them and thanking them. I thank each soldier that I know, every time I see them and I thank those that I don't know when I see them.
Helen
BTW, the photo you asked me about was taken on a day like the day I posted it, but about a month ago. That place is about 30 miles south of me on I-35 and many folks recognize it from trips to Texas and back. It is very representational of the red dirt around here in central Oklahoma.
So many people don't respect the vets, but let me tell you about one who does.
My husband and I were in the Space Museum in Washington DC, and he was wearing a had that said "Retired Air Force." We were standing in line at the huge MacDonald's, waiting for a burger for lunch, when a young (18-20) year old man came up to my husband, shook his hand, and said thank you for all the years hubby had served in the service of his country.
We were speechless! Tears came to my eyes and I had to get out the tissues. What a special moment that was for us, but especially for my husband.
Since then, when I see anyone in uniform, I try to go up to them and thank them for serving our country. It's only right we do so.
His star has turned to Gold.
From one Blue Star Mother to another, the two of us are unable to imagine the pain a sister has endured. We are fortunate to have this medium which recognizes our brave fallen heroes... As RDW states, hopefully we have learned from history and never again will a son or daughter sacrifice their life for *nothing* Each and every airman, soldier, sailor and marine deserves respect to the nth degree.
~AirmanMom returning to her blog...
Oh man, your post really hits home, my nephew is one of those people serving. And then Sage's comment made me cry. My nephew in law is in the Marines and served, and my son in law is in the Navy and has been twice I believe. So our family is very familiar with the fears and heartaches. But God has been with them and brought them home safely each time. Thank goodness.
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