Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Wednesday Hero January 28, 2009

This Weeks Post Was Suggested And Written By Cynthia

Sgt James E. Craig
Sgt James E. Craig
27 years old from Hollywood, South Carolina
1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
January 28, 2008
U.S. Army

James, 27, was killed on January 28, 2008, in Mosul, Iraq, along with four other soldiers when the unit encountered an IED, followed by an ambush from a nearby Mosque. It has been a year since James was killed. I miss him each day.

James was on his third deployment to Iraq. There are so many things about James that I admired. He was 'loud' and funny and articulate and sweet - even calling himself 'Sweet Soldier' - and brave and tough. He was a devout Christian and more comfortable with telling people he was than anyone I ever knew - he had a enviable, easy comfort with this faith. It would be so easy to write and write about James, but let me share some portions of his letters - his long and articulate letters.

"...I am very much looking forward to this war being over. However, I fully support everything that is going on over here ever since I saw first hand what the real situation was. Our media doesn't portray the truth of this operation or the necessity to the people here. They need freedom and desperately cry out for someone to help them. ... I know one thing, God wants me here."

"The war here is stating to come to an end. It will be a slow transition period where the responsibility of the battle space is handed over to the growing Iraqi Army. It all depends on the Iraqis if we are able to leave them with it safely."

"...it is a tale of my wonderful journey where I made memories I will never forget and stood up for something that I believe in...that sweet taste of freedom when the day is done and the knowledge that I have done something to ensure the positive future of my loved ones. And, you should know that it comforts me the most that what I do protects wonderful people like you."

To read more about Sgt James Craig, go here.


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
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20 comments:

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

Glad to hear you will be more careful re: your future Tabasco intake!

Hallie

Unknown said...

hallie...thanks for stopping by!

Fragrant Liar said...

That was a really nice tribute to him. Thanks for sharing it.

KJ

Bogart said...

As always, Thank you...

I never really have much else to say when I read your blog...

thank you seems to be the only appropriate thing.

Anonymous said...

We should never forget those that gave the ultimate sacrifice. Thanks for remembering.

Unknown said...

kj...thank you for taking the time to stop by and read of this hero!

Unknown said...

bogart...we simply need to remember those who take care of us!

Unknown said...

citizensoldier...each one of them deserve our thanks and prayers... their families as well!

Brandy said...

SGT Craig sounds like a wonderful man and the excerpts from his letter shows a brave man with a love for others, his family must be very proud of him. Thank you for sharing his story with us today.

Unknown said...

brandy..his story is one to be shared...along with each and every other hero!

Mary said...

A wonderful tribute to Craig. I mourn his passing and that of every other hero that gives the ultimate sacrifice to guarantee that we live in freedom. Thanks again, AM and thank you also to Cynthia.

Blessings,
Mary

Call Me Grandma said...

Thanks James for your ultimate sacrifice!
Well done good and faithful servant. Now recieve the royal crown of victory and enter in to the kingdom.
Prayers going out to James' family.

Kat said...

Thank you for posting that. He is from right outside my hometown (Hollywood, SC is a suburb of Charleston). I may know people who knew him for all I know. Thank you for honoring all our fallen heroes.

Anonymous said...

Manny thanks for this wonderful blog...

Unknown said...

mary...prayers are lifted for all of our fine heroes and their families!

Unknown said...

grandma...amen!

Unknown said...

kat...thank you for taking the time to read their stories...you just never know, who you know!

Unknown said...

laura...thank you for taking the time to visit!

Anonymous said...

Didn't know you James, but it's easy to see, that the people in this world miss you.

Thank you for all you did.

Unknown said...

HL...amen!