Posted on 09/20/2007 7:16:13 PM PDT by SandRat
A respected member of the blogging community who also happened to be serving our nation was killed in Iraq Wednesday.
Frank Salvato, editor of The New Media Journal, sadly e-mailed his readers:
It is with a very heavy heart and swollen eyes from the tears that I inform you all that one of our fellow writers, Sgt. Eddie Jeffers who was serving in Ramadi, Iraq, was killed today. He was patriot, humble, kind and dedicated to his mission, his country, his family and his faith.
Many of you might be familiar with Sgt. Jeffers's piece "Hope Rides Alone" posted on February 1, 2007:
But even thousands of miles away, in Ramadi, Iraq, the cries and screams and complaints of the ungrateful reach me. In a year, I will be thrust back into society from a life and mentality that doesn't fit your average man. And then, I will be alone. And then, I will walk down the streets of America, and see the yellow ribbon stickers on the cars of the same people who compare our President to Hitler.
I will watch the television and watch the Cindy Sheehans, and the Al Frankens, and the rest of the ignorant sheep of America spout off their mouths about a subject they know nothing about. It is their right, however, and it is a right that is defended by hundreds of thousands of boys and girls scattered across the world, far from home. I use the word boys and girls, because that's what they are. In the Army, the average age of the infantryman is nineteen years old. The average rank of soldiers killed in action is Private First Class.
This piece was so popular that Fox News's Bill O'Reilly reported it (audio available here).
If you hadn't seen this spectacular article before, please do yourself a favor and read the entire thing.
Moving forward, according to Salvato:
[Sgt. Jeffers] was a humble kid. He thought it was huge that we published him and his Dad even said he admired those of us who do this. Go figure. Here's a kid clearing houses in Ramadi in the bad days admiring those of us sitting back here in air conditioned rooms typing.
He was married and he was slated to come home, I believe for the holidays. He died at 7am this morning in an accidental vehicle roll-over as his group was traveling to fight the bad guys. Just like Patton, I guess.
He was Evangelical and devout. He was always looking out for his men, checking on them, caring about them, making sure they were ready for battle. He was a good leader and took his gig seriously.
Most of all, he believed in his mission. Believed in the war effort and couldn't fathom the mindset of Murtha, Reid, Pelosi and Kennedy. He was worried that when he came home he wouldn't recognize the country he was fighting for.
Some of us share his concern regarding recognizing the country he was fighting for, and will take a moment to say a prayer for him and his family.
Sgt. Jeffers was only 23.
For those interested, Jeffers also published "Real Deal in Ramadi" back in April.
—Noel Sheppard is an economist, business owner, and Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
God bless our brave troops.
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Oh, no. I followed his blog, and found it gripping. May God hold him in His hand and bring him peace in life everlasting, and may He give support, comfort, and hope to his courageous family.
Prayers for the repose of the soul of a hero, and the consolation of his loved ones.
Not a rock star, or a sports star, just an American hero !!!
Rest in peace with your brothers and sisters in the Kingdom of the Creator.
Sgt. Eddie Jeffers - a fallen hero. May he rest in peace. Prayers for his family. May they be comforted by many that honor his service and sacrifice for our country.
I am so sad. And tonight when my son gets off-duty, I will hug him to my heart all the more. And I wonder if JT met Sgt. Jeffers and if I should tell him of the fallen comrade.
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Breaks my heart to hear this. Prayers for this fine young man and his family.
God rest his soul and may we be forever grateful for men like him.
May his family and fellow soldiers be comforted in their time of sorrow.
And may the realities of war that he so artfully penned be forever ingrained on the American Soul!!
A HERO HAS FALLEN!!
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In a world of instant communication, I also pray that those same family members did not find out about his death reading FR, or any other blog.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1899352/posts?q=1&;page=51
Post #77 is an email on September 19 from his father announcing his son’s death to a freeper. God bless and comfort those who loved Sgt.Jeffers.He was a wonderful man.
Prayers up!!
God bless our troops and especially the families of those who gave the greatest sacrifice for us!
The Debt Unpayable
What have I given,
Bold sailor on the sea?
In earth or heaven,
That you should die for me?
What can I give,
O soldier, leal and brave,
Long as I live,
To pay the life you gave?
What tithe or part
Can I return to thee,
O stricken heart,
That thou shouldst break for me?
The wind of Death
For you has slain life’s flowers,
It withereth
(God grant) all weeds in ours.
F.W. Bourdillon
Pray for our soldiers and our military leaders that they will be safe and win mighty victories!
Rest in peace sgt...
Your work here is done...
(sniff)
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