A Tribute To A Hero

I write this brief post because even though we are gaining the upper hand, militarily, in the Iraq theatre in the War Against Terror, we have some Americans trying to say it is too late and to pull out and admit defeat. We have too many Americans who do not want to win here or anywhere. There are too many Americans who think, quite bluntly, we are getting what we deserve.
I want to focus on someone who has died for this cause and why we should not stop in Iraq until there is total victory.
The American is James P. Blecksmith. He was a marine who died in the battle of Falujah in 2004. November 11, 2004, Veteran's Day.
Second Lt. Blecksmith was not a soldier who, as Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass) came from a lower class background, but was born and raised in San Marino, California, an upper middle-class enclave in the San Gabriel Valley near Los Angeles. He went to Flintridge Prep, a prestigious private high school, then the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Entered the marine corps voluntarily to fight for the United States in the War Against Terror. I am sure that he knew he would be in the front lines whether in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Second Lt. Blecksmith could have not gone to the Naval Academy and instead possibly an Ivy-League school and done something with himself in the private sector. But, he followed a long line of family who served their country, asked or not. Second Lt. Blecksmith's father, Ed, served in the marine corps in Vietnam. That was the last war the United States lost. What a tragedy that this could be the second.
Second Lt. Blecksmith was in the thick of the action in Falujah on that fateful November day when he was involved in heavy fighting, literally house to house combat. Second Lt. Blecksmith was shot by a sniper who hit him in the right spot. The bullet went right through 2nd Lt. Blecksmith and he died instantly.
His parents, Ed and Pam Blecksmith got the news the way almost all soldiers families get the news no one wants to hear. Two members of the armed forces went to the Blecksmith home and then they knew. Their son died a hero.
The memorial was held at the church they have attended for years. Yes, I was there and it was amazing seeing 2nd Lt. Blecksmith's flag-draped casket moving about the church and then the very short drive to the graveyard next to the church. Those that spoke talked about an amazing young man. Some referred to 2nd Lt. Blecksmith as a "Soldier for Christ" and his faith even going into the field of battle.
The reason I can write so intimately about this is that the Blecksmith's are members of my church, Church of Our Saviour, in San Gabriel, California. They are really down to earth people that have had to endure more than most Americans will ever have to endure.
And they want to see it through. They want victory in Iraq and in the War Against Terror. They understand as do so many military familes what we are doing not just in Iraq but overall to beat the Islamofacists.
I also write this because we hear so much about the thuggish soldiers in Abu Graib and now recently the writings of a so-called member of the military bad-mouthing the troops in the way that the war has turned them into sociopaths. That is what the DDBMSM wants to paint the picture of the American soldier.
I just want you to know some one like 2nd Lt. James P. Blecksmith, an American hero