November 13, 2006

IN MEMORIAM

Do you know the story of Joe and Tommy?

To the eye, Bloody Omaha is just a sandy beach.

No white crosses, no huge memorial, no visible signs of those who sacrificed themselves and fought for freedom. No sign of those who fell for it.

Yet I remember "Joe" and "Tommy", heroes with no names but so many faces, who came here one day, fighters for a just cause, in a liberation army.

I was told about them, I read books about them, I saw pictures of them, and I watched interviews and movies. I heard their stories. The Joe and Tommy who got through this, told me about their brothers who didn't.

And they show me why they didn't fall in vain.

One day in July, standing on the sand of bloody Omaha a long time ago, I learned about Joe and Tommy. I learned that my own Grand Pa' and Grand Ma' once hid Joe, whose plane had been shot down, in their attic, to save him from Fritz. I learned that Fritz could have killed Joe and my grand parents for that. I learned that Fritz killed and imprisoned a lot of people because they weren't like him or just because they didn't think like him and disagreed with him. And I learned that Joe and Tommy came to stop Fritz acting like this and send him back to his country.

I know I wanted to thank Joe and Tommy for that.

Who wouldn't?

So I guess I asked: "And where is Joe now? Where is Tommy?"

My parents probably answered that they were gone, back home long before I was born. Joe and Tommy didn't come to conquer like Fritz did, you know, hence they went back to their own countries. That's why, since I wasn't born when Joe and Tommy shed their blood to make sure I would come to life free in a free land, I learned about them by my father and mother, many years later.

And that's why I couldn't thank Joe and Tommy, like I wanted.

I know that today, there are fathers and mothers in Kosovo telling their kids about Joe and Tommy. I know there will be others tomorrow in Iraq.

I don't know if there are memorials to Joe and Tommy in Kosovo today and I don't know if there will be in Iraq tomorrow.

But I know that as long as I and other kids born free in a liberated land, here, in Kosovo or in Iraq, remember them, the fallen Joe and Tommy will live forever.

I know a fallen Tommy; his name is Sean Sims.
His own son lost him two years ago today.
But may he live forever in the hearts of kids born free in Iraq.

sims.jpg

Posted by Sarah at November 13, 2006 07:49 AM | TrackBack
Comments

Sarah,
That was a wonderful tribute to Sean and a very special post for Heidi and Colin.
I have thought about Russ and all the young soldiers these last few days, watched TV coverage, etc., and we Americans should get down on our knees and be thankful for all those who risk their lives or who have lost their lives in order that we might live free. I don't think the average American really realizes the sacrifices military families endure. God bless all of you.
Your Mama

Posted by: Nancy at November 13, 2006 01:11 PM

Sarah - What a wonderful post. I don't know you, Heidi or Colin, but frankly, I feel like I do. I read your blog everyday (and Heidi's) and I will be honest when I say that this wasn't the first post to leave me in tears. As an American, I am thankful for your husband, I am thankful for Sean Sims and I am thankful for you, Heidi, Colin & all military families. You make sacrifices every day for the good of our country. In Heidi's case, Sean made the ultimate sacrifice while serving his country. When my 3 year old says her prayers at night, she asks God to watch over "soldiers". Tonight, we will say a special prayer for the Sims Family.

Posted by: Keri at November 13, 2006 02:04 PM

Now that was just beautiful . . . you are so good with words (remember my comment about "smart people" topics). Thanks for remembering ALL our fallen soldiers.

Posted by: Heidi at November 13, 2006 04:37 PM

Sarah - that was so nice. Don't ever let us forget Capt. Sims and his family.

Posted by: toni at November 14, 2006 06:21 AM