Dear Eddie (Sgt Eddie Jeffers)
Dear Eddie:
You didn't know me in the 23 years you were here, but I have been thinking a lot about you the last few days. Really, I have. This is not the first time I have thought of you, been aware of you. I remember back when your piece "Hope Rides Alone" became famous all over the internet. I know that piece of fine writing from the sandbox gave insights to many of how amazing all of you are, who are fighting today. I remember. I remember smiling because your words put the lie, yet again, to the notion that all soldiers are just killing machines, ignorant hick Rambos gone wild. And you kept fighting, and you kept writing, as the rest of us went on about our everyday business, doing whatever it is we all do, that is SO (sarcasm here) important.
And now? This last week has seen your work, again, all over the internet, and there has been much weeping and sorrow. I have read a lot of the stuff written about you and I feel as if I know you. I read with great sadness that you had died in Iraq. This human heart was heavy. But, as I have talked to people, re-read your writing, I have been so grateful to have been given a glimpse of you.
I got an email from your dad David, in response to an email I had sent to him, and I KNOW you are smiling down on him. Oh Eddie, I know you know the human dad is struggling with this loss, but you also know that he has faith to sustain him as he continues on his human path. Like you, he knows he is a child of God and he knows, as do I, that 'death' is no finality. I remember a long time ago reading somewhere that a way of looking at 'death' as we know it in our human realm, is that those gone before have just stepped into the next room; never far away. My prayer for your dad and all your family is that they always feel you close by. I know that the love we share, one with another in this classroom called "life", never dies, but lives on forever. I hope your family holds on to this truth in the times ahead..
Over the past few days - and in the times to come - I am sure that some will try to use your passing as a political tool, to further their own agenda. I know that you were well aware of the politicians in America trying for brownie points with this war you have fought valiantly. I only have to read your writings to know this. You have my word that I will stand strong against any who try that.
I came across another comment, on another post about you, these last few days: "words matter." Don't ask me where I found that, but this is a belief I have long held. And I know you have too. These last few days many people have been reading your words. And as I read them, and thought about the importance of words, I remember that the Word, the Bible, has been passed down through the generations as a template for how Christians live our human lives. I know, from all I have read, that you - too - have been raised, and believe in living a life according to the scriptures. I know that your favourite verse is:
“Blessed be the Lord my Strength, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.” Psalm 144:1
I know this because I found that on your dad's site. I also know that you believed in what you were doing for the children, the future of Iraq. There are some who may say that talking about God has no place on a milblog. Having read all I have about you these last few days, I know no one can talk of you withOUT talking about God. I KNOW you walked with God, have a close relationship with God.
I also have learned more about you by reading local newspapers. By now, you will already know that your younger sisters and your mom have been interviewed by your local paper.
Sounds to me like you were an awesome big brother to Hannah and Jolene. Your mom tells the world:
These past few days I have also 'met' a Soldiers' Angel who was connected to you, albeit briefly, as she worked to help you and your wife enjoy a short respite together during your last R & R. This Angel also was very sad, struggling with the loss of the human Eddie. Now? She holds on to her faith, just as you always did.
As I have browsed the internet these last few days I also found this comment on a MySpace. You will know which one..lol
That comment was from someone very close to you, who knows you well, who loves you. And for the rest of us? Your words bring us into your heart. Through your writing, we all feel as if we know you. And, 'you shall never be forgotten.'
And so it is, through the power of the internet, from Freedom Feels Good (here), to The Real Deal in Ramadi (here), you shared your heart with us, and showed us what is really happening for families in a land far, far away from the comforts of your own family and home. I don't know if you were aware then - even as you surely must be by now - how many hearts you opened with your words. Words matter - and your words reach across time and space - will continue to do so - just as those other Words still resonate for a lot of us. Your words remind us all that OUR mission is not over yet, even as you embark on your new mission. Those of us left here get to renew, again, our commitment to this mission which you began. Yes, we do weep that you have gone on ahead, but as your dad says on his blog site:
I also know you are in a far better place, Eddie. I do. And as I have thought about you these last few days, over and over in my mind - unbidden - have come the words:
Oh Eddie, so many hearts you have touched and changed. "Your spirit will live forever/it lives in the laughing eyes of children/ who are free from want and oppression." My prayers are for your family, your beloved wife, and including your sister Becky - who also asks you (in an online comment) to always watch out for her and the family as you always did. My prayer is that they all know that you are always close by, and find comfort in your presence. As your dad says on his site, in his post titled Hope Rides Eternal:
Rest well, thy good and faithful servant. Soar through the heavens that are surely richer for your arrival, Sgt. Jeffers. Thank you... ..thank you. With much love and respect:
Brat
I got an email from your dad David, in response to an email I had sent to him, and I KNOW you are smiling down on him. Oh Eddie, I know you know the human dad is struggling with this loss, but you also know that he has faith to sustain him as he continues on his human path. Like you, he knows he is a child of God and he knows, as do I, that 'death' is no finality. I remember a long time ago reading somewhere that a way of looking at 'death' as we know it in our human realm, is that those gone before have just stepped into the next room; never far away. My prayer for your dad and all your family is that they always feel you close by. I know that the love we share, one with another in this classroom called "life", never dies, but lives on forever. I hope your family holds on to this truth in the times ahead..
Over the past few days - and in the times to come - I am sure that some will try to use your passing as a political tool, to further their own agenda. I know that you were well aware of the politicians in America trying for brownie points with this war you have fought valiantly. I only have to read your writings to know this. You have my word that I will stand strong against any who try that.
I came across another comment, on another post about you, these last few days: "words matter." Don't ask me where I found that, but this is a belief I have long held. And I know you have too. These last few days many people have been reading your words. And as I read them, and thought about the importance of words, I remember that the Word, the Bible, has been passed down through the generations as a template for how Christians live our human lives. I know, from all I have read, that you - too - have been raised, and believe in living a life according to the scriptures. I know that your favourite verse is:
“Blessed be the Lord my Strength, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.” Psalm 144:1
I know this because I found that on your dad's site. I also know that you believed in what you were doing for the children, the future of Iraq. There are some who may say that talking about God has no place on a milblog. Having read all I have about you these last few days, I know no one can talk of you withOUT talking about God. I KNOW you walked with God, have a close relationship with God.
I also have learned more about you by reading local newspapers. By now, you will already know that your younger sisters and your mom have been interviewed by your local paper.
Sounds to me like you were an awesome big brother to Hannah and Jolene. Your mom tells the world:
| ..."But my son doesn’t want to be remembered sadly. He would want us all to be smiling, to remember him skateboarding, working at Wendy’s, playing in his band ‘Fighting the Vanna White Influence," she said. "And that he liked beer and hated drinking girls. He loved his wife Stephanie ... And he wanted children - he was going to try to go stateside as a recruiter after his tour was over in January. He was the oldest of six children, and had a stepsister." (source) |
These past few days I have also 'met' a Soldiers' Angel who was connected to you, albeit briefly, as she worked to help you and your wife enjoy a short respite together during your last R & R. This Angel also was very sad, struggling with the loss of the human Eddie. Now? She holds on to her faith, just as you always did.
As I have browsed the internet these last few days I also found this comment on a MySpace. You will know which one..lol
That comment was from someone very close to you, who knows you well, who loves you. And for the rest of us? Your words bring us into your heart. Through your writing, we all feel as if we know you. And, 'you shall never be forgotten.'
| ...At 7am on September 19, 2007 in Ramadi, Iraq, on a sweltering Iraqi summer day, a good friend whom I knew but never met, a true American patriot and a hero died...(source) |
And so it is, through the power of the internet, from Freedom Feels Good (here), to The Real Deal in Ramadi (here), you shared your heart with us, and showed us what is really happening for families in a land far, far away from the comforts of your own family and home. I don't know if you were aware then - even as you surely must be by now - how many hearts you opened with your words. Words matter - and your words reach across time and space - will continue to do so - just as those other Words still resonate for a lot of us. Your words remind us all that OUR mission is not over yet, even as you embark on your new mission. Those of us left here get to renew, again, our commitment to this mission which you began. Yes, we do weep that you have gone on ahead, but as your dad says on his blog site:
| ...Although our personal loss is traumatic, we know he is in a better place....He told me this past summer...You see to Eddie, he was just doing his job and what he believed was his life mission from God....(source) |
I also know you are in a far better place, Eddie. I do. And as I have thought about you these last few days, over and over in my mind - unbidden - have come the words:
|
Do Not Weep For Me Do not weep for me, for I have loved and been loved by Do not weep for me. |
Oh Eddie, so many hearts you have touched and changed. "Your spirit will live forever/it lives in the laughing eyes of children/ who are free from want and oppression." My prayers are for your family, your beloved wife, and including your sister Becky - who also asks you (in an online comment) to always watch out for her and the family as you always did. My prayer is that they all know that you are always close by, and find comfort in your presence. As your dad says on his site, in his post titled Hope Rides Eternal:
| “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)(source) |
Rest well, thy good and faithful servant. Soar through the heavens that are surely richer for your arrival, Sgt. Jeffers. Thank you... ..thank you. With much love and respect:
Brat
(Originally posted on Tanker Bros milblog September 24, 2007)