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Friday, September 16, 2005
A Mother's Response to the Destruction of the Memorial
This expresses my sentiments about the destruction of the memorial at Camp Casey. This woman' s son was born the same year as my son, Paul. Her son was killed last year. I can't imagine the pain....
From the Camp Casey Alumni group:
This morning I read a report from the Lone Star Iconoclast about the remaining memorial to our beloved fallen heroes, our sons and our daughters, was stolen. You can read more about it here: http://198.65.14.85/News/2005/37-38/37news10.htm
While, at first, I was brokenhearted and stunned as I read this news, I have to admit that I no longer am. These kinds of acts of hatred have become commonplace, and not only at Camp Casey. Just last week another memorial to our heroes was destroyed in Toledo, Ohio. These are only desperate acts to undermine the movement to end the war and the effort to bring our soldiers home and to honor them.
There is a very simple message that I don't thing these criminals will ever understand, and that is this: We support our troops wholeheartedly. We love them. We believe the best way to support our troops is to BRING THEM HOME NOW! We will not and have not spit upon even one of them, we have not judged them for fighting in what we believe to be an illegal and immoral war.
There was a memorial to my son, Sgt. Jeremy Smith, at Camp Casey. I had left a picture from his funeral and flowers. Cindy left Casey's boots. Most, if not all, of the members of Gold Star Families for Peace had the names of their loved ones on crosses at Camp Casey. We all had an emotional stake in that sacred ground where our movement finally gained attention (thank you, Cindy) and the energy needed to end this war.
I think what the thieves should know now is this: Your acts have only fueled our fire and the fire of thousands of other people who have an emotional investment in Camp Casey. We will only fight harder now to bring about an end to this war. Your unspeakable acts of hatred and disrespect toward our fallen heroes are despicable.
"You can mow down the crosses, but you can't mow down our hope because the truth will always greet the light of day And we know what the cost is in this darkness where we grope but we know that peace will be the better way on Prairie Chapel Road....."
(from Prairie Chapel Road by Eric Folkerth)
We will continue on our path undaunted, the fire in us rekindled by your senseless act of hatred.
Amy Branham
Houston, TX
Mother of Sgt. Jeremy R. Smith, U. S. Army Reserves
Nov. 1981 - Feb. 2004
From the Camp Casey Alumni group:
This morning I read a report from the Lone Star Iconoclast about the remaining memorial to our beloved fallen heroes, our sons and our daughters, was stolen. You can read more about it here: http://198.65.14.85/News/2005/37-38/37news10.htm
While, at first, I was brokenhearted and stunned as I read this news, I have to admit that I no longer am. These kinds of acts of hatred have become commonplace, and not only at Camp Casey. Just last week another memorial to our heroes was destroyed in Toledo, Ohio. These are only desperate acts to undermine the movement to end the war and the effort to bring our soldiers home and to honor them.
There is a very simple message that I don't thing these criminals will ever understand, and that is this: We support our troops wholeheartedly. We love them. We believe the best way to support our troops is to BRING THEM HOME NOW! We will not and have not spit upon even one of them, we have not judged them for fighting in what we believe to be an illegal and immoral war.
There was a memorial to my son, Sgt. Jeremy Smith, at Camp Casey. I had left a picture from his funeral and flowers. Cindy left Casey's boots. Most, if not all, of the members of Gold Star Families for Peace had the names of their loved ones on crosses at Camp Casey. We all had an emotional stake in that sacred ground where our movement finally gained attention (thank you, Cindy) and the energy needed to end this war.
I think what the thieves should know now is this: Your acts have only fueled our fire and the fire of thousands of other people who have an emotional investment in Camp Casey. We will only fight harder now to bring about an end to this war. Your unspeakable acts of hatred and disrespect toward our fallen heroes are despicable.
"You can mow down the crosses, but you can't mow down our hope because the truth will always greet the light of day And we know what the cost is in this darkness where we grope but we know that peace will be the better way on Prairie Chapel Road....."
(from Prairie Chapel Road by Eric Folkerth)
We will continue on our path undaunted, the fire in us rekindled by your senseless act of hatred.
Amy Branham
Houston, TX
Mother of Sgt. Jeremy R. Smith, U. S. Army Reserves
Nov. 1981 - Feb. 2004
posted by Carol at 3:50 PM
1 Comments:
Carol and Amy:
Thanks for posting about my song "Prairie Chapel Road on your blog. It's great to hear that the items have been returned, but in the event that anyone needs a lift, feel free to download the song here.
It's also been used as the soundtrack of a new movie from the "Not in Our Name" folks.
Low Quality Version here
High Quality Version here
Feel free to continue to share the music....it's meant to be shared.
Eric Folkerth
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