Traveling Soldier

Since today is Memorial Day, I thought it would be appropriate to give you all a blog about this day in history, the people we honor on this day and a little of what it means to me. Memorial Day is a US federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates men and women who died while in military service to the United States. First enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day always hits home with me not only because I'm in the military but also because as most of you know I have an uncle who was killed in Kosovo ten years ago. This Memorial Day has especially hit home for me, more than any other year because of where I am.

Everyday I hear of more men and women who have been killed in Iraq and Afganistan. A lot of people dont know that there are still almost daily casualties in this war. And one thing that I do have the opportunity to do over here is participate in fallen warrior ceremonies, which is a way to honor fallen soldiers in their route to their final resting place. This is depicted in the movie "Taking Chance" Based on real-life events, Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, a volunteer military escort officer, accompanies the body of 19-year-old Marine Chance Phelps back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming. I strongly urge everyone to watch this movie if at all possible.

Now these ceremonies can certainly be one of the toughest parts of the job but it certainly is one of the most hunbling. If it were my choice I would never have to attend one of these ceremonies because soldiers would be safe at home, but thats in a perfect world and we all know we are far from that. But, in an effort to look at the positive I have concluded that atleast I know that these soldiers are getting the respect and honor they deserve all the way home. And I am greatful to know that my uncle got the same treatment on his way home back in 2001.

Now when I came over here it was my goal to put out blogs to keep family and friends updated on life but I have to admitt I have been slacking. The reason being that just about everyday is the same here. Day in and day out I work, eat and sleep and in that order. I have tried to think of creative things to write about or ways to keep you guys interested but I have already run out of ideas.

So with Memorial Day here and with all the deaths I have been learning of in the war I got to thinking of ways that I could show my gratitude to all of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I have decided to start using my blog to tell the story of one service member who has been killed in action each day. I figure the world doesn’t hear enough about those who have died for it.

So today I want to Honor Cpl. Brandon M Kirton

Insurgents killed this Fort Campbell, Ky., soldier May 18 in Afghanistan. Cpl. Brandon M. Kirton, 25, of Centennial, Colo., died in Kandahar province when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire and mortar rounds. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. Kirton was an infantryman. He joined the Army in January 2008 and arrived at Campbell in July 2008. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge. Kirton is survived by his father, Robert C., and his mother, Kathleen A. Kirton, both of Parker, Colo. He is also survived by his daughter, Heaven Kirton of Centennial, Colo.

 

Today Cpl. Kirton's friends and family mourn the loss of a loved one. If it were up to me the whole world would know of this selfless man who gave all he could give. If you are reading this I hope that you would take just a second to say a prayer and remember Cpl. Kirton and his family.

 

I hope that everyone realizes the price that is paid for our freedom everyday, but especially today. Cpl. Kirton and so many others have given their life for us. In our country, we do a wonderful job of creating and building physical memorials.  Such as the Vietnam Wall, the WWII Memorial, the Korean Memorial, the 9/11 Memorial.  At these sacret places, we can see and even trace with our fingertips the names of those in who have given their lives in defense of our country.

Memorial Day is a single day during which we honor the spirit of all those who died in service to our nation but whom we continue to remember and honor in our hearts.  Instead of seeing a stone monument, on this day we see the faces of all those who over the years have sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom.

Memorial Day for some may just be another day off work; a reason to have a barbeque; or, the beginning of summer vacation.

President Kennedy once said “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.” 

Of course today we equally honor service men and women, but a key component of our nation’s greatness lies in our ability to honor, appreciate, and cherish, through our actions and our memories all those who have died to ensure our freedom.

Today is our day to say thank you to those who for generations have paid the price with their lives, and to their families and friends whose lives are forever changed, and to whom we owe an enormous debt. All of the good we do in the world today is because of the legacy given to us by those who gave their lives in service. 

I want to close now with a prayer for all of our troops. Past, Present and Future.

 

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping of all the men and women in our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace: stregthen them in their trials and temptations; give them the courage to face all they may encounter; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be. Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the precious name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen