Wednesday, July 7, 2010

God Bless the Soldier!

That soldier on the left is my oldest son, Thom, with his best buddy from Boot Camp, Mikey. Thom, the "old man" in the class, took a liking to Mike like a younger brother. This pic was taken on 'Family Weekend' last year when we could visit them at Boot Camp in Ft. Knox, the weekend they were awarded their berets.

Today, although details are still sketchy, we learned that Mikey was killed in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber. This young man was barely old enough to vote, not even old enough to legally enjoy a cold beer and so young that he still used a "y" at the end of his name. But he chose to enter the Army to make a better life for himself (and his brand-new wife and a baby due to be born any day now) and get away from a potential life of drugs and gangs. Thom often wrote to me about how much he admired Mikey for pulling himself out of his surroundings. They were truly brothers-in-arms.


Please Don't Weep

If from this conflict I do not return,
Do not cry and weep for me,
But know that in God's plan,
His Heaven is where I should be.

I know that God did not wish me harm,
Or this wound inflict upon my frame,
But long before the earth was formed,
The Father knew my name.

I choose the path that I would take,
Of my own precious free will-
It was the one that I had to take,
And I would choose it still.

It matters not that I went sooner,
Than some would wish for me,
For all of you I dearly love,
Will join me for eternity.

I made the choice to be the one,
To offer my life this way,
In order to protect the land I love
And keep the enemy far away.
                     -Thena Smith


May God hold you in the hollow of His hand, Mikey!

11 comments:

Tami Grandi said...

Oh my- what a tragedy! I'll be praying for this family

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Oh Peggy Sweetie...
I will be praying for Mikey's family. What a tragedy, such a young man and he still had his whole life ahead of him. He had not even lived.

He was so blessed to have met your sweet Tom, and your son was blessed by Mikey. Saying some prayers sweetie.

Thank you for sharing this fine young man with us, who gave his life for our freedom.

Country hugs and so much love, Sherry

Alina said...

Oh, Peggy, I'm speechless right now!
Hugs, Alina

Lisa said...

My thoughts are with Mikey's family--both his blood relatives and his Army family. He has made the ultimate sacrifice and will never be forgotten. If you get an address we can send cards too could you please share it?

coldwaters2 said...

Oh Peggy what can I say at a time like this I am sure Mikey's family are suffering so are you and Thom my heart goes out to you all.
Hugs
Lorraine x

Peri said...

Oh my dear Peggy! How tragic. Words fail me. My thoughts are with Mikey's family and with Thom -if there is any comfort to be had, I'm sending it your way.
Hugs and love
Peri xoxoxo

Sharon said...

Oh Peggy, how terribly sad. I am thinking of you all right now. Am at a loss for words actually! hugs Sharon x

Dawn B. said...

I am so sorry for you loss.. I know this must be so difficult for Thom.. I will be praying for his wife, family and especially his child.. Hugs Peggy..

Anonymous said...

Im Jeff and Mikey was my Big Brother in real life. Deidre was his wife and they are expecting Aliyah Marie Pridham on Oct 10,2010.
My name is Tamarra Leitner and mikey was my son in law. Mikey coulnt wait to have us meet Pvt Sureau. I wont for get that day either. I meet his mother Peggy that day also I appreciate the thoughts and prayers. Aliyah will know her father died a hero.
Our address is 5611 Hasbrook Dr. Louisville Ky 40229 Thank you all

Leigh Ann Baird said...

I don't know what to say. This broke my heart.

Barbara said...

I can't find words to express my sorrow for Mikey's family, unborn child, for Thom and all the friends and soldiers close to Mikey. My heartfelt gratitude to all of our men and women in the military.

Hugs from a Navy mom,
Barb

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