Fiddler's Green.
As I mentioned a couple of posts ago, my friend Wendy's son, Jay, lost his best friend and comrade in Iraq on Memorial Day. His nickname was Tuc - the first initial of his first, middle and last names. Wendy's son was the honor guard for this soldier for the long trip back from the sand - and to be at Tuc's family's side during the viewing and funeral service which was yesterday. Wendy drove to be there to help her son through this time and to honor this young soldier, husband, father, son, friend. There are 6 of us in a tightly knit group of military moms,
three now veteran's moms, the rest of us moms of soldiers still serving. And so Wendy traveled to not only be there for her son, and to pay her respects, but to be there for those of us who couldn't be there. Last night, Wendy wrote the five of us an email, letting us know how sad it was, and yet how proud she was to be there. She described - from beginning to end - the goodbye given to this young man. There is a poem titled Fiddler's Green - Calvary soldiers are required to learn it before they receive their spurs and their stetson. A soldier from Tuc and Jay's rear detachment began to recite it - but couldn't complete it because he was crying. Jay stood up and took the soldier's place - reciting the poem from memory. I am so proud of Jay - and I haven't even met him.
But I know and love his mom - and know that he grew up knowing who God is, to respect others, and eventually, to love and honor the brotherhood and sisterhood of the US military.
I know that most everyone reading this blog has a deep respect for the military - and how costly this war has been. But you see, it's not just about the war, or the political mess that it has created across our nation - indeed, the world.
It's about the people fighting it - the ones who have been there, and those who will yet be deployed. You have to know and love a soldier to truly understand the sacrifice they make. And to understand the fear in a loved one's heart even though you say you trust God.
For those who continue walking in the shoes which Tuc once walked in, we pray for you so much more often than you know. And we thank God for you.
Blessings.
3 comments:
My heart aches so after reading this. It's so hard to be proud and scared at the same time...as we military moms are when we send one of our children into harms way. Any time we hear about the loss of another of our troops, we hurt inside, knowing that it could have been us. I hope Tuc's family knows that we are out here thinking of them and praying for them. May God grant them peace.....
Wendy is a very special lady.
My heart aches for TUC's family and friends. May he rest in peace.
I pray that God's will be down on earth. I pray that peace comes to all corners of the world. No more war...ever.
It is so heartwrenching everytime I hear of another young "Hero" lost.
I feel so bad for Wendy,Jay his fellow soldiers and most of all Tuc's family. Not a day goes by that I don't think of Michelle and her precious angel Jason. She has been so very strong and I admire her for her courage. She is such a great example to all Mothers who has a loved one in the Military.
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