SwiftVets.com

[Mother]

The Federalist Patriot
As you know, every edition we publish ends with this solemn request: "Please pray on this day, and every day, for our Patriot Armed Forces standing in harm's way around the world in defense of our liberty, and for the families awaiting their safe return." We received a message from one of our readers regarding the return of one such Patriot, Captain Sean Patrick Sims, commanding officer of A Company, 2-2 BN, 1st Infantry Division, from his father, Colonel Tom Sims (USA Ret.). We encourage you to share it with others. Link to -- http://FederalistPatriot.US/news/farewell.asp

A Father's Farewell
My son, the soldier, comes home for good.
At last report he had left Iraq and was waiting a flight in Kuwait. With luck he will be in Germany today and then on to Texas. By the way, he is called "remains" but I know better. He is my son.
I want to tell you about him. Not because he is so great a guy - although I think so, but because he represents the thousands of sons and daughters America is sending to far away places to secure our peace and our liberties at home.
Captain Sean Patrick Sims, commanding officer of A Company, 2-2 BN, 1st Infantry Division, was killed in action Nov. 13 in Fallujah, Iraq while clearing insurgent occupied buildings. A tough assignment, clearing an urban area. Dirty, dangerous work. Sean lost his executive officer the day before and I read of the deaths of two Marine Captains who were similarly killed in Fallujah.
It is sad when a father must write his own son's obituary. I don't know what to say. My son, like others falling in that conflict, was a hero who believed in his mission, his unit, and his men. He also believed leaders should be in the front, leading, not following. And that is how he died. He was well liked and respected by his superiors and the men in his company, who sensed his concern for their well being. He was also concerned about the well being of the Iraqi people and did his utmost to guard them from harm.
Sean was a devout catholic, who lived the tenets of his faith on a daily basis. There is no doubt in our minds that Sean is now in heaven and in the hands of our Lord. We grieve for his loss, which is our loss, but not for his soul. If anything, we ask his intercession on our behalf as he is now much better placed for that effort.
I don't know what to say or how to describe the sacrifice of your blood for this country. Having served in Vietnam, twice, having a father who spent 36 years as a soldier through two wars, and a brother who served in Vietnam twice and is now 100% disabled from his injuries there, I am encouraged by the awareness of our countrymen for the sacrifices of our children. I am thankful for the realization by our citizenry that freedom is not free.
My son was not a rampant political supporter for any party, although he was probably more Republican by instinct. But he did have an abiding trust and belief in the United States of America. He felt we are a moral nation, steadfast in our principles; this nation does not take its commitment of its sons and daughters to war lightly. But unlike many nations in the world, we do not shirk our duties to commit our blood to just and necessary causes. Because that is what keeps us free.
I think he understood something which seems to have been lost in the debates over weapons of mass destruction and poor intelligence estimates in this particular war. That is that sovereign nations must be held accountable for their actions. We cannot tolerate nations that hide behind borders and provide support to enemies who are intent on our destruction. We can debate on how this war developed and was executed. It can not be debated that nations now look carefully at their responsibility and accountability before providing such support. America has made its statement. If you support terrorism, we will find you and destroy you, whatever the cost.
My son understood this and believed what he was doing was right. But he also believed that you can't go in and destroy a country and walk away. He was anxious for the insurgents to be quickly defeated so we could start the nation building that Iraq so sorely needs. He chafed at the delays and the debates in implementing aid. He was not a romantic. He understood well the backwardness of the country, the strangle hold of its religion and more challengingly, the social and political pressure of the tribal system. They all looked insurmountable when you add them up. But he had been raised in a tradition of grit and putting one foot forward at a time, so he was not deterred by the challenge. He was faced with a difficult, dirty and seemingly impossible task, but his response was not how do I get out of it but how do I get it done.
I think his sacrifice to his nation can best be summed up in a message I received from a friend expressing condolences for his loss: "His sacrifice was made to keep my family, my sons and my grandchildren as well as all Americans safe and free and for that we will eternally be grateful." That's nice. My son would agree. That's what he thought he was doing.
In retrospect, the true hero here is his wife, who is left a young widow with a young son to raise. She is a woman of grace, and grit. She will do well by her son and her warrior husband.
Tom Sims (COL, US Army Retired)


My response:

A Mother's Farewell
My son leaves home to become a soldier.
He graduated high school last spring, gave up education, and wonderful opportunities because he wanted some adventure. He reports to his recruiter December 6 for transport to Parris Island. He is my oldest child.
I want to tell you about him. Not because he is so great a guy - although I think so, but because he represents the thousands of sons and daughters America is sending to far away places to secure our peace and our liberties at home.
Gilchrist Kelly Rose, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps the night before George W. Bush accepted the nomination for President of the United States. He wants a better education, he feels this is his duty. A week before his graduation we honored one of our fallen neighbors, Rodney Murray, at our high school with a toy donation called "Operation Toy Soldiers". Rodney was a teacher who was able to teach two days before being activated. He loved the children in Iraq. His church had previously sponsored a toy drive for those children. The toy drive held in his memory was to keep Rodney's mission, a celebration of love, alive. The second of three heirs to the family name, Gil knew his cousin was preparing to deploy with a National Guard unit. He has in fact left, one week ago.
It is sad when a mother must bid her son farewell. I didn't know what to say. My son, like others joining that conflict, are heroes who believe in their mission, their unit, their president. He believes leaders should lead. This is how he lives. He is well liked and respected by his community and companions, who sense his concern for their well being. He is also concerned about the well being of the Iraqi people and will do his utmost to guard them from harm.
Gil is a lapsed Episcopalian who is reminded to live the tenents of his mother's faith on a daily basis. There is no doubt in our minds that Gil is now in the best service of his life and is in the hands of our Lord. We will miss him, our loss, but rejoice in his service. If anything, we ask the intercession of all the departed soldiers on his behalf, as they are much better placed for that effort, at a service of Thanksgiving this Saturday.
I don't know what to say or how to describe the sacrifice for this country. Having been the niece, daughter, wife, sister, aunt, and friend to Marines, I am encouraged by the awareness of our countryment for the sacrifices of our children. I am thankful for the realization by our citizenry that freedom is not free.
My son is not a rampant political supporter for any party, although he is Republican by instinct. But he does have an abiding trust and belief in the United States of America and George W. Bush. He feels we must maintain a moral nation, steadfast in our principles; this nation should not take its commitment of its sons and daughters to war lightly. But unlike many nations in the world, we do not shirk our duties to commit our blood to just and necessary causes. Because that is what keeps us free.
I think he understands something which seems to have been lost in the debates over weapons of mass destruction and poor intelligence estimates in this particular war. That is that sovereign nations must be held accountable for their actions. We cannot tolerate nations that hide behind borders and provide support to enemies who are intent on our destruction. We cannot debate on how this war developed and was executed. It can not be debated that nations look carefully at their responsibility and accountability before providing such support. America has made its statement. If you support terrorism, we will find you and destroy you, whatever the cost.
My son understands this and believes what he is doing was right. But he also believes that you can't go in and destroy a country and walk away. He is anxious for the insurgents to be quickly defeated so we can start the nation building that Iraq so sorely needs. He will chafe at delays and debates in implementing aid. He is a romantic. He doesn't understand well the backwardness of the country, the strangle hold of its religion and more challengingly, the social and political pressure of the tribal system. They all look insurmountable when you add them up. But he has been raised in a tradition of grit and putting one foot forward at a time, so he is not deterred by the challenge. He is faced with a difficult, dirty and seemingly impossible task, but his response is not how do I get out of it but how do I get it done.
I think his sacrifice to his nation can best be summed up in a messages I received that simply said, "Thank him for his service."
In retrospect, the true heroes here are his siblings, his girlfriend, his grandmother and grandfather, who are left behind with no promise for the future. They are people of grace, and grit. He will do well by their support.
Julie B. Rose


Thanksgiving 2004
Dearest Gilchrist,
As you come close to the edge and get ready to fly out of the nest I want you to know that the day you were born I gave you right back to God. Therefore, your name; servant of Christ.
I want you to know that the only thing that I put my faith, or trust in...is God. I want you to know this because when you take flight, I won't be there. None of us will. But God will. No mother could ask for a more precious gift that what I received the day you and your siblings were born, and I've done my utmost to give you the best of my love. If I've screwed anything up, forgive me?
When I was young, everything was a Disneyword that was beautiful. I never worried about bad people, because in my world those kinds of people did not exist. Things were different for you in that regard. You learned earlier than me. At some point I realized there were very few people I could or would trust. It was a heartbreaking moment for me because it shattered my perfect little world where everyone loved every one. Sadly, I think the only person one can every really trust is one's self, and God. Not one, not the other, but both together. God will be there, when no one else is. He doesn't expect you to got it alone, He expects you to have enough sense that if you need Him, you'll go to Him. In the moments you don't need Him, remember to thank Him for the good and precious moments that come your way.
You have been so very blessed to have a brother and sister who love you deeply. That is rare. Real love is rare and it is the most important thing in this life. It is a real, true, and deeply abiding love that I hope and pray will stay with you forever, where ever you may be. Yet you are soon going to be given another family. You will learn to trust new brothers and sisters. That is the core of the Corps. Brotherhood. I feel you are so well prepared for this journey. There is much you don't know, yet you may find much of it familiar, being the third generation to live these principles. Embrace this new family. It won't always be rosy but you've got the best of the best. Trust yourself. Trust the Corps. Trust God. If you need anything, don't forget to ask Him. He is always there. Listen for Him to guide you in the still small voice of your heart, and mind, and spirit. Along this journey you may well meet the devil himself. But you'll know him when you see him, because you've already come face to face with him several times. And with perseverance, persistance, tenacity, and none other than God's help, we were victors. Remember God is love, and goodness, and kindness in your heart, in your mind, and in your spirit. Keep it.
You wanted some adventure? You might learn to be careful what you ask for!
I wish you Godspeed, son.
I love you.
Semper Fi.
Mother
P.S. You've also been blessed with a sweetheart. Again, something rare. The Corps will tell you it's your lover. But your mama taught you not to believe everything you hear : )