The following is a letter I wrote to the Editor of a local newspaper. I am posting here as well -
The flow of traffic hasn't changed this past week. Businesses have been open, just like the week before. Shoppers still shopped, and kids still went to school, just like each week since school started back up. Each day and week, we enjoy the freedoms to do most anything we want. For most of us, nothing much has changed this past week, from that of the week and weeks before.
But that isn't the case with everyone. This past week, for one of our McKinney families and their friends, their whole world changed.
I didn't know Pfc. Cody Board, and don't know his family. But I've known many such Cody Boards. Men and women from all walks of life, have answered the call of duty, and committed themselves to the armed defense of our nation, and our nation's causes. They have done it, and still do it, for all of us.
While the family and friends of Pfc. Board grieve their loss, let us all remember that every day, the families and friends of our men and women in the military pray that their loved ones comes home safe. But, as it has always been in armed conflict, many don't come home that way. And a little bit of all of us is missing each time.
Yes, the world goes on, as it must. And we will go about of daily work and activities, as we should. But let's stop from time to time, and just say a quiet prayer for those who serve, and their families. It's the least we can do.
To the family and friends of Cody Board, my most sincere condolences. I am humbled by his service, and most thankful for it. Free people everywhere owe a great debt to those like Cody. Rest in peace Cody Board. God Bless and keep his family and friends.
And God Bless and Keep all those who serve us, and their families.
Respectfully,
Dan
PS. I recall very vividly, my coming home. It angered me that the world WAS going on, seemingly without notice that young men were fighting and dying in Vietnam. I thought then, "Don't they get it? Our guys are dying over there and don't they care?" I felt that way, because for most Americans, nothing changed for them. To those who fought, and their families, it would be changed forever.
To this day, this very day, I remember. Part of me still feels so guilty for NOT going back and re-joining my buddies. I don't expect that to ever leave me.
How beautiful, Dan. Thank you so much for taking the time to write these sincere words, to share your thoughts. I've only known the Boards as parents with a son on the same ball team as mine, visiting briefly at the end of games. But I remember watching them with their boys, a close-knit family, and watching them last night at the candlelight ceremony for Cody after the North game, I know all of us there were very moved watching them so graciously receiving all the well-wishers -- some close childhood friends of Cody's, others who wrestled with him on the team at North, some who were in training with Cody before he went off to Afghanistan, and the rest, like me, either distant acquaintances or members of the community just wanting to take a few moments out of their evenings to show their respect and take part in a shared prayer or two. My prayers and thanks to the Board for their sacrifice for all of us, for the young soldiers serving with Cody (some of whom were injured in the same blast that killed him), and for the men and women who are serving or who have served our country. Thank you to you, too, Dan for your service, for your son Matt's service, and for your words here. (And I'm so glad you came home safely.... so you could be here to make my sweet friend such a happy wife and mom.)
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