A heroe's salute.

Josh noticed the People magazine that I had bought yesterday sitting on the kitchen counter.  (Yes, I buy People magazine...but usually only when I've got time to kill at an airport or an appointment.)

This particular issue was a tribute to Michael Jackson.

I didn't buy it for the Michael Jackson tribute (not that I didn't like Michael Jackson...I used have a Thriller poster hanging in my bedroom) but because I feel this ridiculous need to see what's going on with the whole John and Kate plus eight debacle.

Josh pointed out that since Michael Jackson's death, 20 U.S. soldiers have died but that none of them are being featured in any magazines.

And that thought has stuck with me all day.

I was just getting ready to post the rest of our 4th of July pictures when I heard my email inbox dinging at me.  A gal from one of my previous classes (thanks Wendy) had emailed me a tribute to fallen soldier, Sergeant First Class John C. Beale from Peachtree City, Georgia.

It's long (probably about 10 minutes) but I can't help but feel like watching the entire thing is a tribute to all of our soldiers.  If you do decide to make it through to the end, be sure to listen to all the words in the third song and keep listening for Taps at the end.

And these lyrics from the first song:

Oh, and I don't want to die for you,
But if dying's asked of me,
I'll bear that cross with honor,
'Cause freedom don't come free.

God bless all you Georgians who showed up for this, Sergeant First Class John C. Beale and his family and all of those who serve our country.  I can't thank you enough.

A tribute to Sergeant First Class John C. Beale

Comments

[Jamie S]

That's an amazing video. It gave me goosebumps. God bless all those who are fighting for our freedom and to protect our country.

[Heather]

that is so touching. As a canadian i have never experienced this.

[Shelley G]

Thanks Karen and Josh, for the reminder of our priorities. This is such a touching tribute, and such an important reminder for us all to be thankful for our military personnel protecting us everyday. God bless our soldiers and their families. What a beautiful country we live in.

[shari]

I am not sure if you are on facebook, but I am and made a very similiar comment on my wall there yesterday. It read...

" I am so tired of all the MJ stuff! More important people die everyday without a mention. This guy's JOB was singing and dancing. What about those whose job is defending our freedoms and sacrifice their lives to protect us? They deserve so much more than MJ and yet we don't even hear about them. It's really sad the way America views heroism and fame."

Good post, Karen!

PS. Can't wait to see the rest of the 4th pictures tomorrow! :-)

[kelly barron]

Thank you for posting this! Those people lining the streets, hands over their hearts and waving the American flag....they make me proud to be an American. God bless all of our soldiers and their families.

[Laura Carter]

Well said Karen! Thank you (and Josh) for posting this! My husband and I were talking about this very thing. We are so humbled and grateful for the service and sacrifices of our military. They deserve to be "front and center" in our minds, hearts and prayers daily.

[beth]

Karen, I watched it twice and cried the entire time. I am Canadian and we have lost many of our soldiers as well. A local couple lost their only child two years ago on Easter Sunday in Afghanistan, he was only 19 years old. In a city with only 70,000 people it was a heartwrenching time. Thank you for posting this and I so admire all those folks who took the time to honor this brave young man.

[Cyndi]

Thanks so much for sharing that tribute to a REAL hero. (And People is my guilty pleasure. It's too expensive to subscribe, but I love waiting rooms with People. I always pick one up when I travel.)

[Patty]

It is always hoped that something good will come out of something bad. It's sad, Michael Jackson's untimely death, but I am hearing this same sentiment - about our REAL heroes dying - from many, many places. Maybe that is the good that will come from all the publicity surrounding Michael Jackson's death - maybe many will realize that alot of this country has its priorities all askew.

I don't have it in me to watch the video yet- I need to work myself up to it - having had my son return home safe and sound from Iraq a few months ago. But he is not the same, and he has had deaths in his company to deal with. But I already know I'll be thankful for it after I watch it. Thanks for continuing to respect and support the military.

[Stacey B]

Wow Josh Downs...thanks for putting this back into perspective. And making me cry.

I want to ask everyone to also remember those who come home with serious injusries. My friend nephew is one of 20-something triple amputees from the war in Iraq.

[Kim]

Wow - I'm speechless as I'm typing this thru teary eyes...
All of those Georgians who came out for that - amazing.
I need to find out if we do anything like that where I live...
I would love to help give the tribute...for those who have come home - both safely and fallen...
Does anyone know how you can help pay respects?
TIA!
and Thank you Karen for posting this!

[tanyawebster]

seriously amazing....i dont think i have ever looked at an American flag the same after 9-11-01 and I will never take my freedom for granted ....THANK YOU to every single soldier out there that fights for our country....what an amazing amazing (and unbelievably heart crushing) video....

[Ally]

Thank you for reminding us the real heros! Such touching video.

[SueB, Ont.Canada]

Amazing and moving video. I live near the 401 in Ontario,Canada, between Trenton (30 min. to the east) and Toronto (60 min. to the west). This section of the highway has been renamed the Highway of Heroes. This week will see three more of our soldiers return home, one this past Monday and two more to follow tomorrow (Thursday). Hundreds of people line the bridges between Trenton and Toronto to pay there respects to the soldiers who have lost their lives. Many police and fire departments line this route, as well as many members of our local legions. A friend just returned home from Afghanistan on July 1st. after serving a year there, he is an RCMP officer who lives in my town, he voluntered to serve over there to train other officers, we are so thankful he returned home safe. Tell Josh Downs thank-you.

[Sara]

wow...my husband just blogged about this very thing today. www.thewarriorpoets.wordpress.com...check it out. It has a youtube of another soldier out of Georgia that passed. Words can't describe.

[Elaine]

Karen and (Josh),

Thank you so much for posting this and reminding people who the real heroes are - I was deeply moved.

[just a reader]

Thank you Karen for this lovely post, for showing us those great Georgians and what we all should really be focusing on instead of MJ.

[Cindy Welch]

Thank you, this made me stop and feel it deep into my soul

[AnnieM]

Wow..I am astounded that the fine people of Georgia paid such an incredible tribute to this fallen hero. What a gift for his grieving family, and a tribute to the man he was. I salute not only Sgt. Beale and his family, but ALL of the people who gave up their time to honor one of our country's true heroes.
Thank you for sharing that, Karen. It was the best...

[sara]

Thank you for posting this. We should say a pray everyday for the ones that pay the price for our freedom, the freedom that we take for granted everyday.

[Dawn]

Wow...powerful...touching...heartbreaking...thanks for the reality check.

[jpritchard]

this year the 4th was a new experience for me...with my husband in iraq, a quiet weekend gave me the time to ponder the REAL meaning of freedom in this country.

and i felt the need to write: http://dailypieces.blogspot.com/2009/07/lest-we-forget.html

thanks for the reminder...

[Jen]

Thank you so much for sharing this. It is so, so true that our real heroes are too easily forgotten. This is a touching video. I wish all Americans would watch it and wake up! Thanks.

[Karen F.]

Thank you.

[Lizanne Rasmussen]

Thank you so much for posting this. My husband is serving in Iraq right now. It touches my heart to see things like this, and to know of all the people who are grateful for the sacrifices all our soldiers are making over there. Thank you so much for posting this.