The beginning of the story...
On an end table at Laurie Lewkowski's Painesville Township home sits a framed studio portrait of her four children laughing and smiling at one another.
It was a candid moment captured last Christmas, the last time Lewkowski's two sons and two daughters — three of whom either have served or currently serve in the military — were home at the same time.
Shortly after the photo was taken, one of her sons, U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. David Raymond Baker, left to serve his country in Afghanistan.
We did the picture before "our" deployment. It was horrid, because we knew why. I wouldn't let anyone smile. Are we lucky? Are we blessed? No. "We" just survived. Nothing more, nothing less. No injuries even, but scars all around, nonetheless.
Prayers up to the family of this fallen Marine. May their heart ache be replaced in due time by only fine memories and continued respect for what the Marine Corps. stand for. And for what this Marine was willing to endure.
from the story:
“...”It’s powerful stuff,” said Baker’s father, Mark Baker.
“It was wonderful, everybody lining up on the street. Everyone (in the family) was moved,” he said. “The outpouring of love the community has shown and the prayers that have been given. ... We just ask that everyone continue to pray for our family.”
The sadness I feel right now doesn’t even come close to their grief. But I do understand the true meaning of what he said. Even in my sadness I look at that video and I am so proud of a community I have never visited, the selfless Freedom Riders and Patriot Guard Riders, the older gentleman in the red cap saluting the hearse, his family standing tall. But most of all I am proud of U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. David Raymond Baker. I think of how proud he must be watching so many welcome him home.
I am proud of all who have answered a higher calling—those who know what “freedom is not free” means.
I’m just damned proud to be an American. Hear that Obama? Arrogant pride.