Today I leave for what I consider will be my last trip for closure regarding my Son's death in Iraq. My wife Maria, my daughter Monica and I will attend the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Dedication Ceremony at Fort Carson Colorado.
I will abstain from my political views in relation to what this Memorial may mean or not, but I am attending because all of my Son's brothers in arms will be there and I owe a number of them a great deal of personal gratitude.
Paquito's name will be placed in a granite slab along with dozens of other names of American service members that have fallen in the past six months.
Curiously, Paquito's autopsy report finally arrived yesterday. A portion of a note attached in the envelope that contains the official document reads something to the effect of:
WARNING: The information in the enclosed report is graphically described for complete accuracy in the physical details of the remains of SPC Francisco G. Martinez. It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that you read this in the presence of people that can provide you with emotional support during this time, such as your minister, a family friend or a counselor
I read it and did not blink. I mean it, I did not shed one tear after learning the different organs that were ruptured and the vertebrae that became the final resting place of the bullet that killed him.
Yet, I wish they had that sort of warning at video arcades and some of the clothing stores that are frequented by 14-19 year old kids. You see, sometimes I visit those places and often become completely overcome by grief. I really miss my best friend.
Here is my little statement:
WARNING: War should not be resorted to unless ALL other peaceful means have been exhausted and failed.
See you all when I get back.
Posted by martinf at September 29, 2005 07:41 AMPeace be with you and yours, Paco.
Posted by: wheat at September 29, 2005 01:08 PM"War should not be resorted to unless ALL other peaceful means have been exhausted and failed."
I couldn't agree more, it's not a _little_ sentence, it's a _BIG_ one. I hope more people think like that in the future, specially the powerful people.
Que descanse en paz vuestro hijo y ánimo para seguir adelante.
Posted by: Juanjo Marin at September 30, 2005 01:51 AMHi,
I came across this post on my first visit to Monologue -- I was searching for traces of an effort to port Gtk+ to OS X, but boy did I get more than I bargained for! You see, along with being a minor-league hacker I'm a new father myself. My daughter was born last New Year's Eve, about 3 months before your son was killed. Something about finding this post interspersed with posts about JIT compilers and client certificates shook me to the core, slapped me around, and left me vividly imagining how it would feel to lose my child. I don't know you, 30 minutes ago I'd never seen your name, but I found myself in tears for the first time in *years* over your loss, wondering how you possibly could have carried on.
You don't know me, I'm nothing to you, but you've done something valuable for me. Your blog brought this war into perspective for me in a way that no newspaper article or TV spot could. Thank you. I hope you find the closure you're seeking.
Posted by: Nathan Gray at October 1, 2005 02:49 AMi don't believe i understand Your loss but i strongly believe that You are one of the greatest and strongest men i've known of.
find peace if it's possible.
Posted by: Attila Balogh at October 1, 2005 11:12 AM