A Soldier's Letter Home

A Soldier's Letter Home


Jesse

A letter home from Pfc. Jesse A. Givens, 34, of Springfield, Mo. Private Givens was killed May 1 when his tank fell into the Euphrates River after the bank on which he was parked gave way. This letter was written to be delivered to his family if he died. Melissa is his wife, Dakota his 6-year-old stepson and Bean the name he used for his son, Carson, who was born May 29.

My family,

I never thought that I would be writing a letter like this. I really don't know where to start. I've been getting bad feelings, though and, well, if you are reading this. . . .

The happiest moments in my life all deal with my little family. I will always have with me the small moments we all shared. The moments when you quit taking life so serious and smiled. The sounds of a beautiful boy's laughter or the simple nudge of a baby unborn. You will never know how complete you have made me. You saved me from loneliness and taught me how to think beyond myself. You taught me how to live and to love. You opened my eyes to a world I never dreamed existed.

Dakota . . . you taught me how to care until it hurts, you taught me how to smile again. You taught me that life isn't so serious and sometimes you just have to play. You have a big, beautiful heart. Through life you need to keep it open and follow it. Never be afraid to be yourself. I will always be there in our park when you dream so we can play. I love you, and hope someday you will understand why I didn't come home. Please be proud of me.

Bean, I never got to see you but I know in my heart you are beautiful. I know you will be strong and big-hearted like your mom and brother. I will always have with me the feel of the soft nudges on your mom's belly, and the joy I felt when I found out you were on your way. I love you, Bean.

Melissa, I have never been as blessed as the day I met you. You are my angel, soulmate, wife, lover and best friend. I am sorry. I did not want to have to write this letter. There is so much more I need to say, so much more I need to share. A lifetime's worth. I married you for a million lifetimes. That's how long I will be with you. Please keep my babies safe. Please find it in your heart to forgive me for leaving you alone. . . . Teach our babies to live life to the fullest, tell yourself to do the same.

I will always be there with you, Melissa. I will always want you, need you and love you, in my heart, my mind and my soul. Do me a favor, after you tuck the children in. Give them hugs and kisses from me. Go outside and look at the stars and count them. Don't forget to smile.

Love Always,
Your husband,
Jess

From Last Letters Home, an HBO Special to be aired Veteran's Day

Fallujah Assault Will Damage Iraq Ballot

Fallujah, 2003
Their Holy War. Our....??

Fallujah Assault Will Damage Iraq Ballot -
Allawi Making Decisions for US Troops

It doesn't make me confident to know that our military is at the beck and call of an interim foreign leader.

"...about 10,000 American troops are massing for a major assault if Allawi gives the green light."

"You can feel the energy. You can feel the chemistry.."

The UN isn't saying the Fallujah assault might effect the ballot - they are saying the assault will, indeed, sabotage the ballot.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and others have warned that a military offensive could trigger a wave of violence that would sabotage the ballot.

This is more than a case of cutting off our own nose to spite our face.

It is a case of ruthless and violent killing (with the whole world watching) and putting our troops at extreme risk under the leadership of a foreign power - while sabotaging our own goals.

Partisan Division Over A Suicide at 9/11 Site

Bobbie Jensen, 54, a Republican from Phoenix, said that while she understood how Bush's victory disturbed those who dislike him, Ground Zero is not the place to act on those emotions.

"You can be upset about the war, about Bush, but this is a sacred place," she said. "You got to accept what happened and not kill yourself."

(DOH!!!!!!)

Partisan Division Over A Suicide at 9/11 Site

Despondent over the Bush win, a man has committed suicide at the site of the World Trade Center attacks.

How easy it seems to be for any of us to argue over the body of this man, who had a fire running through his veins, and who apparently believed that the fire could only be extinguished by stopping the beat of his troubled heart.

I only wish I'd been there for him in his time of need.

Seeing partisan opining on this matter is indicative of the level of sickness that prevails our here in the real world, beneath the fantasy radar emitted by the mainstream zombies in the press.

There's a slow fire burning out here in the real America.

When we parse a man's decision to end his life over partisan politics, we know we have a genuine problem.

"I'm very moved by it. Obviously, this person was devastated. I can see why he would come here."

(DOH!!!!!!)