[LTCJ]

It is with deep sorrow that I post this report. I attended church with Josh and Kim when they were stationed here at Ft Stewart. As the article states better than I could ever hope to, Josh was a fine young man, fellow soldier, and brother in Christ. I can't remeber seeing him without a smile on his face. He will be truly missed.

Please take a moment to lift up his wife Kim and the rest of the family in your prayers. For those of you in the northeastern Georgia or northwestern South Carolina areas, consider attending his funeral next Saturday.

[joesnuffy]

It would have been an honor for any soldier to have served in his command...
What a loss for his family and the US Army
Prayers to his family...he is with the Lord Jesus who purchased him with his blood
May the Lord grant his family His peace & comfort and the knowing that they WILL be re-united

[Pegita]

Joining you in prayer, LTCJ ... "When 'Welcome Home' I shall hear Jesus say, O that will be glory for me ..."

[What Is Ain't]

I am humbled by this young man's sacrifice.

[jwalsh07]

God bless him and keep those he left behind well.

Prayers and thanks from Army vets in Ct.

[livius]

Very sorry to hear this. Prayers for him and his family.

[LTCJ]

Fallen comrade ping.

[mtbopfuyn]

Seems like a fine young man. Prayers.

[faithincowboys]

What a terrible thing! God bless his family, I am broken up over this. It's important that we never get blase about the deaths of such gifted and wonderful people. I pray that the violence against our soldiers abates. I pray that Iraq becomes a country of prosperity and peace.

I also send my condolences to you. It's clear you're very sad to hear this news. I wish I knew him too. He sounds like he was a fine man.

[holyscroller]

Sad to lose such a fine young man. This article bothers me though in that there's far too much about his parents and their accomplishments. This is not the time or place for them to be listing everything THEY'VE done. It really should have been all about Josh and Kim, not mom and dad. I had to keep going back and rereading to try to just find the facts on HIM. If it were my son, I doubt I'd even be able to think of all the stuff I've done in my life. It almost struck me as them trying to upstage him.

[niteowl77]

I know that just recently he had written and said that he was worried that people over there had forgotten about them -- because the media had been hailing that the war was over and we had won. ... But actually the last couple of months he said we had taken more hits than in the first couple of weeks in the war when it was covered so well.

We will continue to pray, Captain... we haven't forgotten. May God comfort the family of this fine man; we trust that the Lord has welcomed another good and faithful servant to his home.

[RAY]

Dear God it is horrible when we lose anyone, but such a fine young man makes the loss especially sad. What a leader this man was and would have been. This Nation needs many more like him. May God Bless and Comfort His Family. May we never forget!

[AHerald]

Prayers for his family and friends. I thank God that men such as him grace our world.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Capt. Joshua T. Byers, a grateful nation salutes you, and mourns your death.

[Salvation]

Prayers for this soldier and his family.

[fightinJAG]

prayers

[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.

[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.

[VOA]

Seven others were injured in the incident, she said.

Prayers for the other good guys. Some were probably biting hard on the bullet
before the medics arrived.

This article is just to remind us where America's REAL "Best and Brightest" are.

[WestPoint90]

Father hold his family in the palm of your hand. Please give them the peace Josh now rests in with you.

[TomHarkinIsNotFromIowa]

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me:
As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.

[Dick Bachert]

To fallen soldiers let us sing
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord

No more bleeding, no more fight
No prayers pleading through the night
Just divine embrace, eternal light
In the Mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry and no children weep
We will stand and guard though the angels sleep
Through the ages safely keep
The Mansions of the Lord.

[dandelion]

I'm so sorry. Please tell the family we grieve for them; what a beautiful smile he has.

His heart was more beautiful. We am not worthy of such devotion, for beautiful young men and women to die for our freedom. It is the imitation of Christ. God, make us at least try to be worthy; let us remember that every time we worship You in peace, or speak our minds in freedom, it was bought with the blood of men such as these...

[Soaring Feather]

I am so sorry about this young mans' death. Prayers for his widow and his parents.

[Billie]

I'm so sorry about Josh, LTCJ. It's sad when any of ours are killed in war, defending and protecting our country, but when one of our FReepers knew one of the fallen, it really brings it home to us. Prayers for his family, and for all those who knew and loved him.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Prayers for the sacrifice you so bravely gave for this country Capt. Joshua T. Byers, God Bless you !!! May you and your comrades who also gave their all, REST IN ETERNAL PEACE! WE WILL NEVER FORGET!!

May our gracious and loving Father in heaven lift up his wife Kim, his parents and friends and comfort them in thier pain and grief.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

...Praise GOD that...

...LOVE is the Only Reality and...

...GOD is LOVE.

[austinTparty]

Song of Farewell (Old Hundredth)

Come to his aid, O Saints of God
Come meet him, angels of the Lord.
Receive his soul, O holy ones
Present him now to God Most High.

May Christ who called you take you home
and angels lead you to Abraham.
Receive his soul, O holy ones
Present him now to God Most High.

Give him eternal rest, O Lord
May light unending shine on him.
Receive his soul, O holy ones
Present him now to God Most High.

I know that my Redeemer lives
The last day I shall rise again.
Receive his soul, O holy ones
Present him now to God Most High.

Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis...

(Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord: and may perpetual light shine upon them)

[fatima]

So sorry to hear this news,my prayers are with this family.

[LaDivaLoca]

My sincerest condolences and prayers to this young man's family and friends.

[gonzo]

God Bless Captain Byers. Our prayers are with him and his family and friends.............FRegards

[DLfromthedesert]

Prayers for Kim and this wonderful young man's Mom, Dad, and siblings.

My heart aches for the families who are losing their loved ones in this conflict. We should never forget their great sacrifice.

[dansangel]

May God hold this fine soldier in His loving arms for all of eternity. May our Father give the family and friends of Joshua strength and courage during this dark time of sorrow and loss.

Most importantly, may we all, as American citizens, give thanks daily for our troops who protect us with their selfless acts that ensure our freedoms. May we all pray for their protection daily and never forget these fine men and women.

We ask this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Georgia pings and prayer pings - sorry if you've already been notified.

[Teacup]

Prayers for his wife, family and friends.

[MissouriForBush]

Josh and his family are now in my prayers.

We are so blessed to have such an outstanding, decent young man of character like Josh serving our country. He made the ultimate sacrifice on the front lines for our freedom. We must teach our children to always remember and honor the courage of the brave, noble Americans like Josh who never shirk when duty calls.

[WellsFargo94]

Prayers for all.

[Mick Leach]

I had the honor of working with CPT Joshua Byers for more than a year and a half at Fort Carson, CO. He was one of my closest friends and I have been simply devastated by his death.

To understand Josh best, you must understand his background and the way he was raised, thus the extended coverage in the article about his parents and brothers. While the Army says that leadership can be taught, Josh never needed the lesson - he was a born leader, imbued with the spiritual gift of teaching. It was clear that Josh was headed for the pulpit, I guess he never would have imagine that his pulpit would someday be the front slope of an M1 Abrahms tank and his congregation would be made up of grime-covered young men toting weapons of every size and shape who were looking for direction and found Josh.

Josh had a joy, for lack of a better word, that permeated his being and was ever-present in his eyes and his smile. His quiet confidence and steadfast faith enticed you to want whatever it was that he had that allowed him to be so calm and comfortable in very dangerous and unpleasant situations. With his hillbilly accent (as we always joked with him about) and coutry-boy charm, he was able connect and touch the hearts of everyone he encountered.

We used to go rock climbing whenever he could steal away from the CG and SSG Brown; those are the times that I'll remember and cherish most. I've included a picture from last summer after one of our great days of rock climbing (Pictured, from left to right, are: Josh, Matt, and myself).



I know Kim and his family will appreciate each thoughtful reply and all of the prayers offered by the people who have responded here. SSG Brown and I will be going to the funeral on Saturday to bid Josh farewell, and I will print off this story and all of the replies to show her how Josh has touched so many people and how many offer their prayers and support.

Thank you all. -----> Josh, I'll see you on the high ground. SCOUTS OUT!

Mick Leach

[Redleg Duke]

"Many years have passed and those brave men are gone,And those cold, icy waters are still and they're calm.Many years have passed, and still I wonder why...The worst of men must fight...and the best of men must die!""The Sinking of the Reuben James" by Woodie Guthrie<l.Rest in Peace, Brave Rifle, Rest in Peace