Corporal J D Porto RIP

[bruno]

Here is one of the realities of soldiering. This isn't just a way to go to college. It's a military fighting a ground war a long way from home and kids going to a Service Academy, or ROTC- especially those going into the Army or Marine Corps - are signing up for that. I have never met Cpl Porto or his family- his wife and brand new baby daughter have my prayers and sympathy.

http://alittlepinkinaworldofcamo.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-will-always-be-marine-wife.html

"I just need to share some sad news with all of my blog friends.
Sad isn't even the word to describe it, but honestly at this point I can't find the words to describe it. Angry, empty, crushed, confused, shocked, alone, unglued, hateful, depressed, beaten down... none of these words can do justice to my feelings.
I am being forced to do something that no 23 year old woman should ever have to do. I am being forced to do something that no one should ever have to do, not at this early in life, especially. I am being forced to lay the love of my life, my saving grace, my entire world to rest.
Sometimes hashing it out in words helps, so I'm trying to blog about it. To wrap my mind around why God would do this to me, to him, to us. I can't fathom how any of this has happened, it all still feels so surreal, there's no way this is real I am having a nightmare. Unfortunately this is a nightmare I am unable to wake up from.

On Sunday 14 March, Cpl Jonathan Daniel Porto, my one and only soul mate, died while on operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan"....
On Monday 15 March, a CACO came to my house to notify me of the terrible news. I'm not even going to begin to describe my reaction at that. On Tuesday 16 March I went to Dover AFB to welcome my beloved husband home. It is not the way I had intended to welcome him home...

 

[joshual]

Wow...we all need to be reminded of the sacrifices these young families are making. Thanks for posting, I forwarded this link on so others can be reminded to pray for this young family and many others like them who face this harsh reality everyday. (Josh's Mom)

 

[Sandbar]

Here dead we lie because we did not choose to live and shame the land from which we sprung. Life to be sure, is nothing much to lose; But young men think it is, and we were young.

By A.E. Housman and inscribed on a plaque honoring the men lost from the USMA Class of 1950, the plaque is located at the Korean Military Academy.

"Oh, Stranger, Go tell America that here we lie, obedient to her orders"

Rudy Jaramillo B 2-12 1966 A Spartan



I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement,
and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.

-- Abraham Lincoln, November 1864
2 Corinthians 1: 8-11

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;
9 indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God that raises the dead;
10 who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us. He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,
11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed upon us through the prayers of many.

What can I say, but thank you for the gift of your husband and thank you for my freedom.

 

[Chockstock]

How terribly sad and real. Her opening words are so true - no words could possibly describe the emotions she's going through. It certainly gives me the cold water of reality splash into my face and I can only hope that at the end of my four years at West Point, I will be ready for whatever assignment I am given.