Joshua Byers, killed in Iraq, called '110%' in career & faith - PRAYER REQUEST

BPNews ^ | 25 JUly 2003 | By James Dotson

[Amelia]

LTCJ, thanks for sharing this with us. Condolences to you, your church family, and Josh's earthly family in your loss.

[shezza]

Prayers for Kim and the family of this fine young man.

[dennisw]

May the L_rd carry him and comfort his family.

[risk]

Many thanks to his family for raising such a selfless American who was willing to give his all for us.

[rageaholic]

A true American who will be missed. God bless him and his family.

[Davea]

Prayers for the family.

[RJL]

Prayer sent for Joshua and his family.

[Coop]

God bless him, his family and you. This brave young man paid the ultimate price for freedom. We're saddened, yet extremely grateful.

[LTCJ]

Thank you all so much for your kind replies. The more I read them, the more I realized just how hard his loss had been hitting me. I can’t imagine what Kim is going through. My heart breaks for her.

Yesterday at church, several of us were talking about Josh and swapping stories. It was especially poignant because a young lieutenant of our congregation was three-days-fresh back from Iraq and standing right there with us (although he hadn't known Josh). I had forgotten the story that someone told – it was just so typical of Josh that it was lost among my other memories of him: when he was stationed here and went out into the field, every morning his tank crew would gather together and he’d lead them in a Bible study.

I thought I’d share with you something that our pastor read yesterday at the end of the morning service. It was taken from an e-mail that one of our other pastors had received from Josh before he shipped out to Kuwait. I've taken the liberty of highlighting a portion that particularly struck me.

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Here is the excerpt from the letter Josh sent out before he left:

Let me assure you -- I am well-trained in my duties as a soldier and a leader - I have trained hard, both individually and collectively with my units, on all of the tasks that I must perform in combat for the last 11 years (right along with many of you receiving this e-mail!). Everything I have done since my first day at West Point in 1992 has been to prepare me for this challenge. I and my fellow cavalry troopers are ready for this.

I am at peace with the knowledge that I am in God's will and firmly believe that it is better to be shot at in God's will than to be drinking margaritas on some gorgeous beach out of it. God has shown me this time and time again throughout my life - so much so that to believe anything other than that my Lord protects me and will be right beside me every moment of this deployment would be irrational!

I cannot tell you in all honesty that I feel no fear - I do. Fear is healthy when rationed in increments that keep my awareness keen. But as a Christian warrior, I am confident that God is in charge and fully in control of all of the things that are beyond my control - I can give all of that to Him and drive on, focusing on what I can effect!

I will talk to you all when I return home! In the meantime, please send me letters! Mail is worth more than gold to a deployed soldier! I will also give names of soldiers to Kim that don't receive as much mail as others so you can all adopt an extra pen-pal or two, if you'd like.

My address in Iraq will be:
CPT BYERS, JOSHUA T.
HHT, 2/3 ACR
APO ....

Don't send any packages (just letters) to this address for a few weeks. Kim will have the latest information on what kinds of things we need over there via packages from home.

God bless each of you and God Bless America.

Your obedient servant,
Captain Josh Byers
2nd Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment

Philippians 4:13

 

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I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Phil 4:13

[Coop]

I will also give names of soldiers to Kim that don't receive as much mail as others so you can all adopt an extra pen-pal or two, if you'd like.

Sounds like a fine officer and a class act - the world is a little worse off with his passing.

[MoJo2001]

God Bless this young man. May he rest in peace. Prayers for his family and friends.

[VOA]

A Christian Warrior

Too bad a lot of Christians think the term is an oxymoron

[BOBTHENAILER]

Deeply felt prayers for Josh and his familiy.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

PING FOR A FALLEN WARRIOR

LTCJ: May God Welcome Josh Home and comfort his family and friends.

LTCJ: Thank You for your service to our country.

[beachn4fun]

[ladtx]

As a old former 11th ACR trooper myself I understand his patriotism, devotion to duty, and esprit de corps for his unit. I have one son still over there myself. I can only imagine their loss. My heartfelt prayers go out to the family.

[Mr. Silverback]

This was a fine young man. LT, I grieve with you. Will pray for his wife and family.

Josh, my brother, you are a hero proved in liberating strife. We know you are resting in peace, and I look forward to meeting you.

[Mr. Silverback]

Your post reminds me of a couple of lines from a Geoff Moore song:

How I long to see the hour
When I will hear that trumpet sound
Rise to see my Savior's face
See Him smile, and say "Well done!"

[Mr. Silverback]

Roger that!