Local soldier dies in Iraq

[L Hendricks]

On Friday, the citizens of this area have been asked to come out and honor our fallen hero by lining the streets of Washington and Penn between 11:30-12:00 - with the funeral at 10 in Fredonia, it will probably be more like 12 noon.  I believe the Legion and Auxiliary are arranging this - so maybe one of them can give more details

[Teresa]

Thank you Liz..

[Teresa]

WIFE'S REQUEST
 
I was sitting alone in one of those loud, casual steak houses that you find all over the country. You know the type--a bucket of peanuts on every table, shells littering the floor, and a bunch of perky college kids racing around with long neck beers and sizzling platters.
 
Taking a sip of my iced tea, I studied the crowd over the rim of my glass. My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal. They wore no uniform to identify their branch of service, but they were definitely "military:" clean shaven, cropped haircut, and that "squared away" look that comes with pride.
 
Smiling sadly, I glanced across my table to the empty seat where my husband usually sat. It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth, talking about his upcoming deployment to the Middle East . That was when he made me promise to get a sitter for the kids, come back to this restaurant once a month and treat myself to a nice steak. In turn he would treasure the thought of me being here, thinking about him until he returned home.
 
I fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where he was at this very moment. Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any better? Were my letters getting through to him?
 
As I pondered these thoughts, high pitched female voices from the next booth broke into my thoughts. "I don't know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq . You'd think that man would learn from his old man's mistakes. Good Lord. What an idiot! I can't believe he is even in office. You do know, he stole the election."
 
I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them as they began an endless tirade running down our president.
 
I thought about the last night I spent with my husband, as he prepared to deploy. He had just returned from getting his smallpox and anthrax shots. The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his gas mask still gives me chills.
 
Once again the women's voices invaded my thoughts.
 
"It's all about oil, you know. Our soldiers will go in and rape and steal all the oil they can in the name of 'freedom'. Hmmm! I wonder how many innocent people they'll kill without giving it a thought. It's pure greed, you know."
 
My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see how handsome my husband looked in his "mess dress" the day he slipped it on my finger I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert uniform, affectionately dubbed "coffee stains" with a heavy bulletproof vest over it.
 
"You know, we should just leave Iraq alone. I don't think they are hiding any weapons. In fact, I bet it's all a big act just to increase the president's popularity. That's all it is, padding the military budget at the expense of our social security and education. And, you know what else? We're just asking for another 9-11. I can't say when it happens again that we didn't deserve it."
 
Their words brought to mind the war protesters I had watched gathering outside our base. Did no one even appreciate the sacrifice of brave men and women, who leave their homes and family to ensure our freedom? Do they even know what "freedom" is?
 
I glanced at the table where the young men were sitting, and saw their courageous faces change. They had stopped eating and looked at each other dejectedly, listening to the women talking.
 
"Well, I, for one, think it's just deplorable to invade Iraq , and I am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to train professional baby-killers we call a military."
 
Professional baby-killers. I thought about what a wonderful father my husband is, and of how long it would be before he would see our children again.   
 
That's it! Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved, pride in my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had. Tonight one voice will answer on behalf of our military, and let her pride in our troops be known.
 
Sliding out of my booth, I walked around to the adjoining booth and placed my hands flat on their table. Lowering myself to eye level with them, smiling I said, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You see, I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone. And, do you know why? Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around the world defending your right to say rotten things about him."
 
"Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none of my business. However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit by and listen to you ridicule MY country, MY president, MY husband, and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on the line, just so you can have the "freedom" to complain. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies. Don't let your actions cheapen it."
 
I must have been louder than I meant to be, because the manager came over to inquire if everything was all right
 
"Yes, thank you," I replied.
 
Then, turning back to the women, I said, "Enjoy the rest of your meal."
 
As I returned to my booth applause broke out. I was embarrassed for making a scene, and went back to my half eaten steak. The women picked up their check and scurried away.
 
After finishing my meal, and while waiting for my check, the manager returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode. "Compliments of those soldiers," he said. He also smiled and said the ladies tried to pay for my dinner, but that another couple had beaten them to it.       
 
When I asked who, the manager said they had already left, but that the gentleman was a veteran, and wanted to take care of the wife of "one of our boys."
 
With a lump in my throat, I gratefully turned to the soldiers and thanked them for the cobbler. Grinning from ear to ear, they came over and surrounded the booth.
 
"We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did."
 
As I drove home, for the first time since my husband's deployment, I didn't feel quite so alone. My heart was filled with the warmth of the other diners who stopped by my table, to relate how they, too, were proud of my husband, and would keep him in their prayers.
 
I knew their flags would fly a little higher the next day. Perhaps they would look for more tangible ways to show their pride in our country, and the military that protect her. And maybe, just maybe, the two women who were railing against our country would pause for a minute to appreciate all the freedom America offers, and the price it pays to maintain its freedom.
 
As for me, I have learned that one voice CAN make a difference.
 
Maybe the next time protesters gather outside the gates of the base where I live, I will proudly stand on the opposite side with a sign of my own. It will simply say, "Thank You!"
 
To those who fought for our nation, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
 
GOD BLESS AMERICA !

[Rudy Taylor]

It is no longer a rumor.  Fred Phelps and his family will picket the funeral of Sgt. Bryant Mackey in Fredonia from 9:15 to 10 a.m. Friday. The Fredonia Chamber of Commerce is requesting that everyone in the community come out and line the street to show support for the grieving family, and for this American soldier who died on our behalf.

We can do the same here in Howard when the procession arrives, although I really doubt that the creeps will come to Elk County.

If you can stand it, here is the website that confirms the plans announced by the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka.

http://www.godhatesfags.com/

[Bonnie M.]

This group has to be at the top of the list of the despicable group of people who are led by the Devil, himself! 

[Lookatmeknow!!]

This really is hitting home with me.  I just am getting truly angry.  I visited the site that Rudy put up there.  I truly got the since that it was like a cult following and it just mad me sick.  I have tried to settle down, but man, how??  This is a fallen man, a soldier none the less.  He fought in Iraq, because he wanted freedom and peace for his family and for us.  I feel like we are fogetting about the sacrafies (sp) that he has made for us.  He gave up alot just to help the United States, the most honorable thing that any man could do, HIS LIFE!!!  I posted the following comment on the Phelps site:


To: Questions/Comments
From: angtown3@yahoo.com (Angie Town)
Subject: Just to let you Know 
I am not an dumb American as you say in some of your blogs. But I think that what you do at the funerals of fallen soldiers is down right gross. Do you really think that God put you on earth to judge other people? I am trying not to judge you, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and beliefs. But what about the families of the fallen soldiers, does their feelings not come into play?? Oh, yes I forgot I am one of those dumb Americans who don't understand how you believe. I believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Son. I am a very proud member of Flinthills Assembly of God Church in Howard Kansas. I will be honest with you, I am not the best christian. But let me tell you a thing or two, neither are you. I know that you are supposed to picket a funeral in Fredonia Tomorrow. This soldier is from Howard, which is where I am from. He has 3 little children. What do you think or do you think, that these children will think? I am proud to say that my father was in the Navy!! He fought for the rights of all of us, even people like you. I am just really upset right now to think that you have no respect for others, especially in the families time of sorrow. What do you gain? I am not trying to judge you, but if you could truly point out in the bible where it states that All Men are to judge other people, We should not show respect to are fellow man, and the main one, God Hates FAGS, as you say. I truly think you are misinterpreting what you are reading. I don't think that God Hates anyone. 

I will be praying for you and your following. I truly hope that if you come to Howard, that you will get the since that we are Christians, and we love are fellow man. Do you?  

It made me feel better.  I at least spoke my mind.  But I feel that we, as a community should all band together and be on Wabash and Penn.  Especially as Christians, we need to show our love for this fallen man, and his family.  This way if that Phelps guy does come to the burial we, as christians and citizens can show are support for the family. 

[giester2]

oh I wish I could be there lining the streets for this soldier and his family....please everyone in Elk County, line the streets, not only for the soldier's family but for those of us who cannot be there to support them

If possible, even go to Fredonia to help line the streets there.

Make sure Phelps knows we are united against him and his filth.  Show him his behavior will not be tolerated.

[giester2]

IT would be nice if this could happen in Elk County/Fredonia


http://www.snopes.com/photos/military/kiehl.asp

[Judy Harder]

How do I get to the road that the funeral procession will be on.

I am not sure of the names of streets. I know  where
Wabash is.

Thanks.......

[Wilma]

Washington is the street that runs west from the highway on the north side of the nursing home.  Pennsylvania is one block west of Wabash.