Remembering the Fallen on Christmas Day

from "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

"And in despair I bowed my head:

 'There is no peace on earth,' I said,

'For hate is strong, and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.'

"Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men'."

               -Henry W. Longfellow

As we gather around tables and Christmas trees, opening presents and celebrating the wonder and beauty of this day, let us remember those families who have lost loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan particularly. Let us remember those, mostly young, who will not be coming home ever. And let us remember those who come home to us broken and wounded. Let us remember all the fallen.

Pfc. Serge Kropov / age 21 / Hawley, PA. / Die d as a result of a non-hostile incident in Helmand province, Afghanistan/ December 20, 2009.

Sgt. Albert D. Ware / age 27 / Chicago, Il / Died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with a roadside bomb in the Arghandab River, Kandahar province, Afghanistan / December 18, 2009.

Tech. Sgt. Anthony C. Campbell, Jr. / age 35/ Florence, KY/ Died of wounds suffered from the detenotation of a roadside bomb in Helmand province, Afghanistan/ December 15, 2009.

Pfc. Jaiciae L. Pauley / age 29 / Austell. GA / Died of injuries sustained from a noncombat related incident in Kirkuk, Iraq / Decemeber 11, 2009.

Pvt. Jhanner A. Tello / age 29 / Los Angeles, CAL/ died of injuries sustained from a noncombat related incident in Kirkuk, Iraq / December 10, 2009

Sgt. Ralph Anthony Webb Frietas / age 23 / Detroit, MICH/ Died as a result of unknown causes in Baghdad, Iraq / December 8, 2009.