Faces of The Fallen

It may seem that I have pattern going with my recent posts. If it has not become apparent to the readers my posts have reflected on the soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Not all of them but some, so as I thought about what subject I wanted to write on today it wasn't very hard to come up with the topic. On the evening of Friday Aug. 24, 2007, the day after Spc. Kamisha Block was laid to rest, HBO aired a program called BAGHDAD ER. The images depicted in the film were horrendous, very graphic, made my stomach turn and nearly brought me to tears. In the opening scene an Army nurse was placing a soldiers dismembered arm into a toxic bag for disposal which was amputated from the blast of an IED (improvised explosive device). The rest of the documentary was just as gut wrenching. While watching the program I began to feel a new sense anger towards the war and an even greater sense of anger towards the insurgents. But as I watched the ER Doctors and nurses in action it brought out a new kind of human being, a human with real super strengths that cannot matched by the average ER team. I am sure that doctors and nurses here in the states have seen horrible trama but with the conditions the doctors and nurses are working in in Baghdad would make even the best surgeons here bow the heads in respect. The Washington Post online pays tribute to the Fallen soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan with it tribute "Faces of The Fallen". It is emotionally powerful and it gives you a true perspective of just how real this war is by giving its visitors a visual account of the now 4,129 soldiers KIA. Please, keep these men and women in your thoughts and prayers as you wake up each day in peace. Don't take for granted that the trip to the store for that needed gallon of milk or loaf of bread will be made without incident. And if the member of the family or family friend is about to be deployed, charish every last moment with them, tell them you love them and tell them Thank You. Keep them in your prayers and ask God to keep them safe and bring them home. If you happen to stumble upon this and you are in the military, Thank You, God Bless you and God Bless America.

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A Fallen Hero

In the small south east Texas town where I live it has a very tarnished past. A past that by no means is anything to be proud of, through the years following desegregation and then a failed attempt by the government to move blacks into the towns housing projects. The people in this town have worked hard at trying to clear the past by creating a more positive future. But often times, with every step we take forward, either the news media or an individual who has no real knowledge of the people in this town knocks us ten steps back. There are great people in this town. People that to many in one way or another are personal heroes. There are doctors, lawyers, policeman and fire fighters. There are even a few country music recording artists whose names are Clay Walker, Tracy Byrd and George Jones. But there is another kind of hero and they are the men and women who are serving in the armed forces. These Heroes give us much to be proud of. Sadly on August 16, 2007 SPC. Kamisha Jane Block 20 died while serving her country north of Baghdad in a non-combat-related incident. The incident is still under investigation by the U.S. Army. Quoting the website www.militarycity.com article: "Block, a Vidor native, joined the military in July 2005 as a military police officer and was assigned to the 401st Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, since January 2007. She was deployed to Iraq in May. Block’s military awards and decorations included the National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal Global War on Terrorism (Service) Medal and the Army Service Ribbon". Kamisha is loved by many people and it showed with the attendance of her funeral and a funeral procession that was nearly a mile long. Kamisha defines the word HERO. She selflessly joined the military to server her country just as she was know to help her commuity. On a personal note; Thank you Kamisha for your service. You have made America proud. Your death has touched a nation. You are in our hearts. Our prayers go out to your family. You have given Vidor something to be proud of. God Bless You Kamisha and God Bless America.
If you would like to view and sign Kamisha's Guest Book, click the link to the left.

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