Posted on 05/27/2008 9:55:43 PM PDT by Dad of Chris Mason
A Letter from Iraq - Chaplain Garland Mason:
Subject: Chaplain Mason’s brother, Cpl Chris Mason KIA 28 Nov 2006, and our men and women who have Fallen in battle.
Date: 24 May 2008.
The following letter was read at a "Memorial Wreath Laying" in memory of Cpl Chris Mason 24 May 2008. It was later read aloud by Senator Jeff Sessions (R) Alabama, during the Memorial Day service at the National Cemetery in Mobile 26 May 2008. The Senator felt the letter reflects the type of men and women who fight for our freedom.
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I would first like to thank all those in attendance here today. You honor my brother and those who continue to meet the enemies of our country on the field of battle.
It is a fact we are all going to die; thus, it is no tragedy to give ones life for something worth dying for. The real tragedy is not living your life for something worth living for, and thus, dying without truly living.
My brother lived and gave his life to the fullest. And in both his living and his dying he was driven by an undying love for his God, his country, and his family. He wore his heart on his sleeve, a smile on his face, and if you knew him you loved him. My brother is the man he is for a myriad of reasons, but two are most important.
Firstly, my brother is the man he is because he has a mom and dad that love him and always stood by him. He knew where home was and he would always be welcomed by the loving arms of mom, and a bag of dad’s Hershey Kisses.
Secondly, my brother is the man he is because of Jesus Christ. My brother knew and loved Christ, and his life was transformed by who Christ is, what Christ achieved on the cross, and the great and precious promises of the gospel. My brother, in his death, gained more of Christ who makes life deeply meaningful, and truly worth living. I remember like it was yesterday the jubilant conversation we had when he was home on leave from Iraq. We sat and drank coffee and relished the fact that because of the gospel it’s ok to die. If Christ is your greatest treasure, and joy, death can’t take Christ away but only ushers you into His marvelous presence. My brother knew where home was, and just like mom, Christ would welcome him into His loving arms. A month after this conversation God sovereignly used an IED to usher my dear brother into His glorious presence.
I miss my brother deeply and look forward to the day when I will once again look into his face, and we will enjoy the glory of Christ together. Until that day, however, I cling to the gospel knowing that his death was not a tragedy.
I close with these brief words, the words of General George Patton, who said, “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”
“Amen and Airborne!” – Chaplain Garland Mason “Chris’ brother”
Thank you .....for everything.
I was traveling through Texas today with my mother, 83 years old, to visit her only surviving immediate family member, a sister, 81 years old in Houston. As we traveled north after the weekend and Memorial Day, we stopped in Taylor, Texas to visit the graves of my grandparents, my Mom's parents, and her sister and brother. Her brother, Albert Spacil, the only son in the family, died in Sept 1944 over Germany in a B-17.
In this life I never met my Uncle Albert, but I thank him and my deceased grandparents for their sacrifice on my behalf and I look forward to meeting him in Christ's kingdom.
Again, from my family to yours...thank you for your sacred sacrifice for this Republic and our liberty. God bless and comfort you always.
The world has been truly blessed by your family. Your son Chris died protecting our freedoms. And, I see, your son Garland is a credit to us all, as well. You and your wife must be terrific parents. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Thank you.
Thank you. God bless you and your family.
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