Searching for Angels

I often wonder how people find my blog. More and more these days, people have it book marked and come by on a regular basis to read.

I also know that people find the blog by searching. Some people are searching for things to send to soldiers. Some are searching for information on deployment. I am always gratified however they get here. However, I am always saddened whenever I find that someone has found his or her way to my blog by searching the name of a soldier who has died in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom. This happens quite regularly and it never fails to twist my heart to see that someone has searched the name of Tommy Byrd, Matt Bohling, Tim Watkins, Jason Benford, David Salie… And the trend has escalated since I published the names of the 2500. Just this morning, people came by the blog looking for Hugo R. Lopez, Casey Michael Laware, Frederick L. Miller, Jeremiah S. Santos, Mark Smykowski and Jason Allen Fegler.

These are not just line items on a site meter to me. I understand that these are family or friends of those we have lost in this war on terrorism. I look at every one of those searched names. I wonder every time who is looking? Who is searching? A high school or college classmate? Is it a sister or a brother? A daughter or son? A wife? A mother (some other soldier’s mom?)

I wonder about the last words the soldier and the searcher spoke… or what was left unsaid? When was the last time they saw one another? What will they remember and treasure the most? Of course, I can’t know who they are… I just know that they are searching.

I often wonder why they are searching? Are they looking for something specific? I imagine that some search their loved one’s name to safeguard the name and to be sure that no one is using the name in vain or in a manner disrespectful to them. Others may want to read everything that they can find on their loved one.

I have received emails from friends and family members of some of the Heroes. Some write to thank me for remembering. Others write to tell me of the soldier’s family or their own personal relationship with their Angel. I treasure every email. I answer every one. I have never had a family member or friend that hasn’t been grateful for the words or the mention of the name. It’s the hardest part of what I write, but also the most treasured because I believe that so long as we remember, these soldiers and marines and sailors and airmen will be loved and they will be honored.

As we come upon the day on which we celebrate the independence -- the freedom -- of this country, I pause to salute all who have served in defense of our country and I honor all of those past and present who have made the ultimate sacrifice to secure and maintain this freedom. Let freedom ring.

Copyright Some Soldier’s Mom 2006. All rights reserved.


Remember*

Remember

I will still be here

As long as you hold me

In your memory

Remember

When your dreams have ended

Time can be transcended

Just remember me

I am the one star that keeps burning

So brightly

It is the last light

To fade into the rising sun

I'm with you whenever you tell

My story

For I am all I've done

Remember

I will still be here

As long as you hold me

In your memory

Remember me

I am that warm voice

in the cold wind

That whispers

And if you listen

You'll hear me call across the sky

As long as I still can reach out

And touch you

Then I will never die

Remember

I'll never leave you

If you will only

Remember me

Remember I will still be here

As long as you hold me

In your memory

Remember

When your dreams have ended

Time can be transcended

I live forever

Remember me

Remember me

Remember me

By Cynthia Weil and James Horner
From the Soundtrack of the movie, “Troy”