Fallen Friends

Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.                 
                     - Edna St. Vincent Millay     

     Today the soldiers of the Nightstalker Battalion closed ranks with the Tusker Battalion to say our final farewells to three fallen heroes.  1SG Alan Gifford, SGT Matthew Deckard, and SPC David Ford fought side by side with the Nightstalkers, and their unflinching courage earned them the respect and admiration of every man lucky enough to work with them.  1SG Gifford was the kind of NCO that inspired confidence in his men, a Gulf War veteran who was as resilient as the M1 tanks his soldiers crewed.  SGT Deckard was also a seasoned veteran, using the lessons he learned in OIF I to better prepare his crew for the trials of combat.  SPC Ford was on his first combat deployment, and had just celebrated his 20th birthday – but his dedication to duty and consummate professionalism would have shamed men twice his age.  They were the kind of men you wanted backing you up when the chips were down.  And time and again they were.     

     I started walking to the memorial service an hour before it was scheduled to begin. As 1LT Mo and I slowly trudged across the broken ground I looked up to see dozens of soldiers following convergent paths.  It seemed like the entire FOB was in motion, pushing forward like a turbulent storm surge.  Nobody seemed to be traveling alone, instead everyone was bound together in tightly knit groups.  For a moment the scene reminded me of an old photograph of artic explorers huddled together for warmth.  For a long moment that image stayed with me, turning over and over until I suddenly realized that what I was seeing wasn’t all that different from those grainy pictures.  The bitter sense of loss was less tangible then those frigid winds, but it was cutting us just as deeply.  But unlike those explorers of old it wasn’t warmth that caused us to aggregate - it was a far deeper and more urgent need.  It was the deep seated desire to connect with others and reaffirm the bonds of friendship that stave away the darkness.     

     By time we arrived there were no longer any seats, and rather then root around for a place to sit we stood behind the assembled soldiers in silence.  As the minutes ticked by the haphazard collection of soldiers continued to grow, spreading into a half moon of drawn faces and bowed heads orbiting around the memorial site.  The approaching soldiers knew the area was flooded with soldiers but still they came, their numbers spilling into the street and into an adjoining motorpool.  The soldier lined up on the fringes of the group could barely see the memorial stand, and they surely sensed that they wouldn’t be able to hear the memorial ceremony, but they didn’t care.  What mattered to them was that they were present to honor our fallen warriors.      

     I moved to the back of the crowd to allow other soldiers a chance to move in closer, so I wasn’t able to hear the entire ceremony.  But I didn’t need to – the sea of downcast faces was a testament to how may lives were touched by these fallen heroes.  Their presence here sent a message more eloquent then any that words could convey.  As the ceremony came to a close the assembled soldiers coalesced into a long line, every man patiently waiting for a turn to stand in front of the simple memorial and salute the fallen one last time.  When my turn came I stood in front of their memorial and paused a long moment to say a prayer for their families.  Then I gave one final salute and shuffled away into the twilight.   

Comments

[Mbest2373]

Hi Danjel.I am Sgt.Matthew Deckard's sister,michelle. I have looking all over the internet trying to find this script.Thank you for keeping it as his fallen hero page is now gone. Today is Jan.25,2011 and I went and sawe my baby brothers tombstone that he so deserved after being in Heaven for 6 years now! Once again my family has to grieve him all over like it's the beginning, we recently (or his wife) got his body moved home where he belonged and he is lain with other fallen soldiers in a Veterans Cemetary that he respectfully earned.Tonight is hard for me because I wish i could make it all go away ---- for all of the men and women---- and to have our loved ones back! It seems unreal to me at times because he was already gone for a while and I still could see him come home. Was you there at his memorial in Iraq? Did you know my brother? All the same I am very happy to know that someone is keeping all the memories alive through the soldier's eye. Thank you and if you choose not to post this would you e-mail me to let me know how I can copy this? It touches me deeply every time I read it. Thank you, Michelle Best,Matt's sister.

[Beth Gifford]

I am the wife of the 1SG Alan Gifford. I would like to say thank you for sharing your memories and thoughts of that day. It feels my heart with pride to read that so many soldiers came to pay their respects to my husband. I miss him so much. Words can't even begin to express how much pain that I feel or how lost I am without him. Thank you for your bravery and your compassion. God Bless!

[Glenn Gill]

Danjel, I am the stepfather, "Dad" of Sgt. Matthew L. Deckard. I first met Matt when he was 8 years old when I was in the Army. This young man was always interested in my MOS, so it was no surprise to me when he also decided to enter the army and become a tanker just as I was. I know that Sgt. Deckard was dedicated to the military and his comrades, and because of this,the entire time he was in Iraq, including his first tour, I never wished that I could take his place...Instead, I wished that I could be right there next to him as one of his comrades. I am now left with a void in my heart and life that I will never get back, but I can be comforted by knowing that he is a true American Hero that Gave All, the ultimate sacrifice. Your words and details of the events in this article make me feel as if I were there at the ceremony honoring my son "Matt", 1st Sgt. Gifford and Spc. Ford. I couldn't be prouder, knowing that these men were honored with the respect that they so deserved. I thank EVERYONE in attendance that day and I hope and pray that every single one of you return safely home. I welcome any e-mails from those that knew my son as well as any pictures taken of him during his tour and during the ceremony.

[Allicadem]

I am hanging my head with sorrow as well. The other comments are how I feel with words I cannot say. I wish that I could take some of your pain for myself to ease your burden, but that's only nice in thought. Be safe and know that you have a following of support across this vast internet. You're in my thoughts, brother. TSgt C

[Toni]

I know I can never match the grief you have experienced but please accept my regrets at your losses. This just never gets easier which is part of war I guess. My heart is with you and your battalion.

[JHB]

Enjoy your blog. I am a retired LTC(MD)returning to AD for 90 days in Boots on Ground program deploying to Ft. Bliss Nov 20 and on to Iraq. Appreciate any thoughts on what to bring, not bring, words of wisdom, etc.

[Weaser]

Danjel, I am so sorry. I feel absolutely helpless. My family, friends, and co-workers are praying for all of you. God bless your brave friends. They will not be forgotten. As for the cowards that did this....GET THOSE @#$%&*@'s !!!!

[David]

Danjel, When you are quiet for a few days...I always expect the news that there will be a memorial service coming soon. I hope that your remaining time is spent not at these services, but rather in cathcing those that have brought about these services in the first place. Keep safe my friend. David

[PebblePie]

You made Time Magazine... http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1106331-2,00.html Pebble

[Sirc_Valence]

Isaiah 9:2-4 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing plunder. For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.

[Kat in GA]

Ugh...sorry, that poem didn't stay in stanzas...it just all ran together...ick..sorry, makes for difficult reading. :-(

[Kat in GA]

Praying for all of you... MY PRAYER Copyright 2005 by Kathy Orr Prayers ascend to the Lord Most High He sees each heartache, hears each cry My Father above listens with Love As I tell Him all my sorrow... "You see the grief of my dear, dear friends - God Almighty, when will it end?? "I know You love them, that I'll NEVER doubt, but I see their suffering, and my heart cries out! "My heart wants to break when I see their sorrow - give them the strength to live through tomorrow!! Give them Your Peace, to calm their fears; show them Your Love - wipe away those tears!! "Help us to know that You are in control - nothing takes You by surprise! Help us to rise above our fears, and know that everything is in Your loving care!" Prayers ascend to the Lord Most High He sees each heartache, hears each cry. My Father above listened with love As I prayed for your tomorrow.

[Sherri]

Thank you all. God Bless.

[membrain]

I weep for your losses; your sorrow; your grief. I am humbled by you and your brave brethren; their service; their sacrifices. I pray for you all and offer my thanks for what you are doing for us. Godspeed.

[kathi]

I, too, am so sorry for the loss y'all have suffered. I thank God for these brave and honorable men as He welcomes them home. Thank you so much for sharing and for everything that you do. Godspeed.

[MBDonalson]

You have our deepest condolences. I shudder every time I hear about another bombing or shooting, hoping that none of our boys were killed. Great thanks to all the soldiers who are serving their country, and who may give the ultimate sacrifice, their life. You honor us greatly!

[MissBirdlegs in AL]

I'm so sorry for the losses y'all have suffered. Wish there were words as beautiful as yours to offer comfort. Just thank you, Sir - Thank You All!

[Opforsoldier]

Rest In Peace my brothers. We will see you on the final objective.

[lometa]

I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest condolences and forever gratitude for the sacrifces you and your brothers and sisters in arms make for the betterment of this world.

[Kat in GA]

Oh man... I just don't know what to say.... So, as usual....{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}} and many prayers to all...and I mean that most sincerely. I also mean it most sincerely when I say THANK YOU for all you do... you really ARE making a difference in this world...fighting against the darkest kind of evil,to keep us safe and make the world a better, safer place. For that, we owe you a debt of gratitude that we can never fully pay. You are apperciated more than you know... and we are so dang proud of you!!! Hang in there... we are praying for you all always. And more {{{HUGS}}} to all (just the natural "Mom Instinct" in me!)

[Beth Powers-Lamm]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your men and the families of these brave men who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Thank you for protecting my family and the Iraqi people. Beth

[a 3dACR dad]

My condolences to you all for your loss Denjel, I echo the sentiments of Edna St. Vincent Millay and add my humble thanks and abiding respect.

[Tony B]

I've said it before, but I can't say it enough. Thank you for all of your efforts and the efforts of your comrades on our behalf. Just thank you so much.