Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested And Written By Cynthia


Sgt James E. Craig
Sgt James E. Craig
27 years old from Hollywood, South Carolina
1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
January 28, 2008
U.S. Army

James, 27, was killed on January 28, 2008, in Mosul, Iraq, along with four other soldiers when the unit encountered an IED, followed by an ambush from a nearby Mosque. It has been a year since James was killed. I miss him each day.

James was on his third deployment to Iraq. There are so many things about James that I admired. He was 'loud' and funny and articulate and sweet - even calling himself 'Sweet Soldier' - and brave and tough. He was a devout Christian and more comfortable with telling people he was than anyone I ever knew - he had a enviable, easy comfort with this faith. It would be so easy to write and write about James, but let me share some portions of his letters - his long and articulate letters.

"...I am very much looking forward to this war being over. However, I fully support everything that is going on over here ever since I saw first hand what the real situation was. Our media doesn't portray the truth of this operation or the necessity to the people here. They need freedom and desperately cry out for someone to help them. ... I know one thing, God wants me here."

"The war here is stating to come to an end. It will be a slow transition period where the responsibility of the battle space is handed over to the growing Iraqi Army. It all depends on the Iraqis if we are able to leave them with it safely."

"...it is a tale of my wonderful journey where I made memories I will never forget and stood up for something that I believe in...that sweet taste of freedom when the day is done and the knowledge that I have done something to ensure the positive future of my loved ones. And, you should know that it comforts me the most that what I do protects wonderful people like you."

To read more about Sgt James Craig, go here.


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.
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7 comments:

Reddirt Woman said...

How many more can we afford to lose? How many more will take up the fight for our freedom? Honor walks the battlefield and we must salute these men and women. Without them things would be so different in our great country.

Thank you, Michelle, for keeping us ever mindful of our many blessings.

Helen

Unknown said...

michelle..as always, such an important post. His own words summed up the real Sgt. James E. Craig!

~AM

Ness said...

Thank you Sgt. James for your service and thank you Michelle for keeping these soldiers in our thoughts and their families in our prayers.

joanne said...

Thank you Sgt. James...you will be greatly missed...we honor your service to our country.


Thanks Michelle...I hope that one day very soon there will be no need for your Wednesday Hero post...bring them home..jj

Reddirt Woman said...

Michelle, I've got an award for you over at my place.

Thank you for all you do to keep us all aware...

Helen

Reddirt Woman said...

Thought about you last night. I was watching the Eukanuba National Dog Show and they had the cutest little Frenchie in the competition.

And Westminster is next Monday and Tuesday!

Hope all is okay with you Michelle.

Helen

Reddirt Woman said...

Michelle, are you doing okay? Don't forget... tomorrow and Tuesday...

Westminster!!

Helen