Local soldier dies in Iraq

[Lookatmeknow!!]

I did not hear about this soldier until I got on the forum early this morning.  It has weighed very heavy on my heart.  My father was in the Navy.  I grew up respecting all the armed forces.  And to tell you the true I even thought a few times about joining, but do you know what I just couldn't.  I feel that it takes very special people to serve our country.  This Solider gave up so much for all of us.  That is something that should be very special to each and every one of us.  That preacher guy is truly just wacko!!  God gave each of us special gifts in our lifes.  He gave each of the soldiers that fight for our freedom something special.  I believe that God has a plan for all of us, this soldiers plan was to defend the country that he and all of us love.  THE USA!!  I think that is a VERY SPECIAL GIFT and we weren't put on this earth to judge others.  The sight that Rudy put up was just WONDERFUL!!   I feel that this soldier, Bryant Mackey, deserves the greatest honors possible.  If that preacher guy does try to protest it I am sure that he won't know what hit him, especially in Elk County.  We are all very proud of all the sacrifics that all of the soldiers give.  They are all brave, outgoing, wonderful individuals. 

I truly pray for the family of SG. Mackey.  I guess that his children go to Moline to school.  I understand that one is in 1st grade.  I hope that the children understand that the father was a hero for all of us.  I just had to get all of this off my chest.  If you haven't visited that site that Rudy posted you MUST!!  It makes you take a step back and just slightly understand what how truly honored we, as AMERICANS, are!!!!!

[Mom70x7]

The Phelps guy and other peace activists

I would not ever EVER call Phelps a peace activist. There's nothing peaceful about him.

[Mom70x7]

I was talking earlier today with Tony Signer - he said they plan on burying him here in Howard -

and will possibly have a parade down Washington. He'll let me know what a time schedule is.

As soon as I have that, I'll post it.

[Teresa]

Thank you Debbie. I think that everyone should try to turn out for this.. even if we didn't know him.
He didn't know any of us either and he died fighting for us.

[MarineMom]

I agree with Teresa we should show his family that we mourn with them and that we honor appreciate and respect him,


and I also agree with Mom70x7 phelps is not a peace activist he is a hate monger

[patyrn]

What a honorable gesture for the American Legion to help this family.  Does anyone know of any other ways the people of Howard are going to help lift this family up, especially the young children?  This is such a tragedy for them,  and hopefully there will be plenty of emotional support to help them deal with their loss. 

We should be so proud of this young man's sacrifice for all of our freedoms.  Sometimes we forget until it hits so close to home....

Blessings to his family!

[flo]

In reading the signs that these Phelpps protestors carry, they are using our fallen soldiers as an excuse to protest gays and lesbians and america's acknowledgment of them.  He says God is killing the soldiers because they are fighting for a country that allows gay rights.  My God doesn't work that way.  Calling Phelpps a preacher is the wrong word.  A preacher tells others about God and God's love.  There is NOTHING christian in any kind, shape or form connected to these horrible horrible people.  Have read somewhere that the largest percentage of members in this church? are family members.  Course if they have a church, then they are tax exempt.  God's blessing on that family that sued the pee-waddlin out of Phelpps and won.  It is very hard to do, but perhaps if we all prayed hard enough for this bunch, they would come to know the real God.

[Teresa]

Amen to that~~~

.  It is very hard to do, but perhaps if we all prayed hard enough for this bunch, they would come to know the real God.

Doubt it.. but you can try... 

[Lookatmeknow!!]

I can't understand this preacher dude.  You are right about we need to pray for him!!  But it is so very hard to pray for a guy or group of people like him.  These soldiers gave so much, and the families lost an important part of their family, and this group of people show up and cause them more grief.  I just can't stand that.

I have to also report this.  Brooklyn Hilton comes to my daycare, she is such a wonderful child.  One of Mr. Mackey's boys is in her class and the little girl is in Kindergarten.  Brooklyn was talking about him this afternoon and she mentioned that another of her class mates gave him a card, and she wanted to give him one to.  You know that is truly caring of a 1st grader to reach out to their fellow class mates.  It brought tears to my eyes!!!

[Mom70x7]

I can't understand this preacher dude.  You are right about we need to pray for him!!  But it is so very hard to pray for a guy or group of people like him.

Our Bible Study Sunday night was talking about when the Holy Spirit prays for us because we don't know what to say. We all focused on grief situations - such as with the Mackey family - or when an infant dies - or Judy's cousin Sharon - when you don't know what to say, so you just sit and sometimes that's a comfort and the Spirit prays for you.

Here's the stretch . . . .

Maybe with Fred Phelps, etc., we could say "I don't know how to pray for him, Holy Spirit do it for me" and then we turn the situation over, not worry about it again.

And then we do what we know we can do: protect the Mackey family as best as possible, show our support for them, share what we have. Do the small-town sharing and caring that Howard area is so good with.