A special entry about courage
Dear Readers,
Today's entry is not about a new research finding, new medical technology, or a health topic.
Today's entry is about courage. Courage to face a devastating loss, courage to face the future, courage to take care of another life on your own. Courage of a young soldier (yes, 48 is young) who, despite knowing the tremendous risk to his life, volunteered for his last mission to go to Iraq to lead his soldiers --- and somehow sensing his life would end, made sure his (at the time) unborn son had more than just a picture to remember him by. He wrote a 200 page journal for his unborn son filled with stories, anecdotes, advice, and personal tidbits about himself--- so that his son would know him, if not in person, at least through his words.
If you have not done so, we highly encourage you to read The New York Time's article "From Father to Son, Last Words to Live By" by Dana Canedy. The young soldier, First Sgt. Charles Monroe King, was Ms. Canedy's fiancé.
We all have our own opinions about the war and we may not fully understand the reason(s) soldiers volunteer for missions. Why take that unnecessary risk? What about their families? Aren't they being selfish?
This is not the time and place for that.
As we stated at the beginning, this entry is about courage. As you read through Ms. Canedy's article you will not feel any "woe is me" attitude. You do not feel her pitying herself. On the left hand side in the multimedia section of the article, click on the "Letters from a soldier to his son." There you will see pictures and hear Ms. Canedy speak about First Sgt. King. Yes, you hear pathos and you hear the poignancy in her voice--- but you do not hear resentment or anger towards him. You hear love and support (even, as she admits, she may not have fully understood his reasons--- but she supported him). She is a single mother--- but her son is a constant reminder of their love together. First Sgt. King will always be with her--- through their son.
Dana has the courage to move forward – for herself, for her love of First Sgt. King, but most importantly, for their son.
We can all learn from her courage.
Today's entry is not about a new research finding, new medical technology, or a health topic.
Today's entry is about courage. Courage to face a devastating loss, courage to face the future, courage to take care of another life on your own. Courage of a young soldier (yes, 48 is young) who, despite knowing the tremendous risk to his life, volunteered for his last mission to go to Iraq to lead his soldiers --- and somehow sensing his life would end, made sure his (at the time) unborn son had more than just a picture to remember him by. He wrote a 200 page journal for his unborn son filled with stories, anecdotes, advice, and personal tidbits about himself--- so that his son would know him, if not in person, at least through his words.
If you have not done so, we highly encourage you to read The New York Time's article "From Father to Son, Last Words to Live By" by Dana Canedy. The young soldier, First Sgt. Charles Monroe King, was Ms. Canedy's fiancé.
We all have our own opinions about the war and we may not fully understand the reason(s) soldiers volunteer for missions. Why take that unnecessary risk? What about their families? Aren't they being selfish?
This is not the time and place for that.
As we stated at the beginning, this entry is about courage. As you read through Ms. Canedy's article you will not feel any "woe is me" attitude. You do not feel her pitying herself. On the left hand side in the multimedia section of the article, click on the "Letters from a soldier to his son." There you will see pictures and hear Ms. Canedy speak about First Sgt. King. Yes, you hear pathos and you hear the poignancy in her voice--- but you do not hear resentment or anger towards him. You hear love and support (even, as she admits, she may not have fully understood his reasons--- but she supported him). She is a single mother--- but her son is a constant reminder of their love together. First Sgt. King will always be with her--- through their son.
Dana has the courage to move forward – for herself, for her love of First Sgt. King, but most importantly, for their son.
We can all learn from her courage.
Dana, we are here for you.
posted by CareTALKGals(tm) at 1/03/2007 12:18:00 AM
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