Posted on 12/21/2013 2:50:58 PM PST by GrootheWanderer
It's one of the most powerful pictures from the Iraq war: an 8-year-old, his lip trembling, is handed a folded flag at his father's funeral.
The iconic image inspired a family friend - someone the young Christian Golczynski had never met - to send him a present and, later, to launch a foundation that helps hundreds of kids just like him.
Every year, A Soldier’s Child sends children of fallen soldiers gifts on their birthday. Christian's father, Marine Staff Sgt. Marcus Golczynski, was killed in Iraq in 2007, so Christian was the first recipient. Now, there are 1,200 in 46 states.
And six years after that famous photo was taken, Christian is doing his part to carry out the mission of A Soldier's Child and make the holidays easier for other military children.
Christian is 15 now, a sophomore in high school and a goalie on his lacrosse team. He and his mother, Heather, are “adopting” other military families, picking out presents so they don't feel forgotten during this holiday season.
"I really just hope that they feel like I did the first year when I got it," Christian said. "Just really nice inside...the thought of knowing that someone else is thinking about you over the holidays."
(Excerpt) Read more at usnews.nbcnews.com ...
I remember that picture. He was such a brave little man, and he seems to have grown into a fine young man, of whom, I’m sure, his Dad is so proud.
Time is just passing all of us by ain’t it.
We Americans really do live in two separate countries. We have honorable organizations such as this honoring the families of our brave service members who have given the ultimate sacrifice for America and then we have the Federal government taking away benefits from our disabled Veterans. That is the difference between private organizations and government organizations.
That picture is utterly heart rending. Good for this young man and may God rest his hero father, and all our troops that have fallen in the cause of freedom.
Everytime I saw that photo, I wondered how that little boy was doing. Glad to see he’s making his Dad proud and carrying on in an honorable way.
Watching the dad on video did it for me. :(
Amen!
The Marine officer presenting the flag was LtCol Ric Thompson, who had been the fallen Marine’s battalion commander and was at the time his regimental XO. May God bless him for handling one of the toughest duties imaginable. I will always be grateful to the men who helped their families bury my Marines while I was still overseas. Semper Fidelis...
Just found a new organization to support. Thanks for sharing.
God bless that young man.
Like everyone is saying, he’s making his father proud.
Something in my eye...gotta go.
“”I remember that picture””
I don’t think anyone can ever forget it...This is a great update for everyone who wondered how the son is doing....
Thanks for posting.
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