Sgt Eddie Jeffers, US Army, a fellow blogger and hero serving in Iraq was killed on September 19th. I did not know this young man but reading his posts I immediately came away with the thought that this man was a true patriot. A man who loved his country, who served honorably, and believed in bringing freedom to those who don’t have it. Frank Salvato at the New Media Journal:
Through the tears of anguish I cried upon hearing the news I felt a genuine anger beginning to envelop me. I felt the injustice and inequity that comes with experiencing the death of not only a 23-year old, but a genuine and fine individual. But then I began to contemplate the words Eddie chose to share with us from Ramadi, Iraq, an earthly hell which he endured and will never return from. I reflected on his concerns and his worries and I realized that anguish and anger – in the context of his sacrifice and the sacrifice of his family – are selfish.
I am not related to Eddie, but I feel a special brotherhood with him. I will be celebrating Eddie’s life, saluting his honor and I am motivated by his service and dedication, his patriotism and heroism, his memory, to make sure that our country does right by his life.
Eddie wrote a piece that was widely read last February. Bill O’ Reilly mentioned it on his show. In honor of this young man I am reposting that piece which shows us the true character of a hero:
Hope Rides Alone
USA Sgt. Eddie Jeffers, USA (Iraq)
February 1, 2007I stare out into the darkness from my post, and I watch the city burn to the ground. I smell the familiar smells, I walk through the familiar rubble, and I look at the frightened faces that watch me pass down the streets of their neighborhoods. My nerves hardly rest; my hands are steady on a device that has been given to me from my government for the purpose of taking the lives of others.
I sweat, and I am tired. My back aches from the loads I carry. Young American boys look to me to direct them in a manner that will someday allow them to see their families again…and yet, I too, am just a boy….my age not but a few years more than that of the ones I lead. I am stressed, I am scared, and I am paranoid…because death is everywhere. It waits for me, it calls to me from around street corners and windows, and it is always there.
There are the demons that follow me, and tempt me into thoughts and actions that are not my own…but that are necessary for survival. I’ve made compromises with my humanity. And I am not alone in this. Miles from me are my brethren in this world, who walk in the same streets…who feel the same things, whether they admit to it or not.
And to think, I volunteered for this…
And I am ignorant to the rest of the world…or so I thought.
But even thousands of miles away, in Ramadi, Iraq, the cries and screams and complaints of the ungrateful reach me. In a year, I will be thrust back into society from a life and mentality that doesn’t fit your average man. And then, I will be alone. And then, I will walk down the streets of America, and see the yellow ribbon stickers on the cars of the same people who compare our President to Hitler.
I will watch the television and watch the Cindy Sheehans, and the Al Frankens, and the rest of the ignorant sheep of America spout off their mouths about a subject they know nothing about. It is their right, however, and it is a right that is defended by hundreds of thousands of boys and girls scattered across the world, far from home. I use the word boys and girls, because that’s what they are. In the Army, the average age of the infantryman is nineteen years old. The average rank of soldiers killed in action is Private First Class.
People like Cindy Sheehan are ignorant. Not just to this war, but to the results of their idiotic ramblings, or at least I hope they are. They don’t realize its effects on this war. In this war, there are no Geneva Conventions, no cease fires. Medics and Chaplains are not spared from the enemy’s brutality because it’s against the rules. I can only imagine the horrors a military Chaplain would experience at the hands of the enemy. The enemy slinks in the shadows and fights a coward’s war against us. It is effective though, as many men and women have died since the start of this war. And the memory of their service to America is tainted by the inconsiderate remarks on our nation’s news outlets. And every day, the enemy changes…only now, the enemy is becoming something new. The enemy is transitioning from the Muslim extremists to Americans. The enemy is becoming the very people whom we defend with our lives. And they do not realize it. But in denouncing our actions, denouncing our leaders, denouncing the war we live and fight, they are isolating the military from society…and they are becoming our enemy.
Democrats and peace activists like to toss the word "quagmire" around and compare this war to Vietnam. In a way they are right, this war is becoming like Vietnam. Not the actual war, but in the isolation of country and military. America is not a nation at war; they are a nation with its military at war. Like it or not, we are here, some of us for our second, or third times; some even for their fourth and so on. Americans are so concerned now with politics, that it is interfering with our war.
Terrorists cut the heads off of American citizens on the internet…and there is no outrage, but an American soldier kills an Iraqi in the midst of battle, and there are investigations, and sometimes soldiers are even jailed…for doing their job.
It is absolutely sickening to me to think our country has come to this. Why are we so obsessed with the bad news? Why will people stop at nothing to be against this war, no matter how much evidence of the good we’ve done is thrown in their face? When is the last time CNN or MSNBC or CBS reported the opening of schools and hospitals in Iraq? Or the leaders of terror cells being detained or killed? It’s all happening, but people will not let up their hatred of President Bush. They will ignore the good news, because it just might show people that Bush was right.
America has lost its will to fight. It has lost its will to defend what is right and just in the world. The crazy thing of it all is that the American people have not even been asked to sacrifice a single thing. It’s not like World War II, where people rationed food and turned in cars to be made into metal for tanks. The American people have not been asked to sacrifice anything. Unless you are in the military or the family member of a servicemember, its life as usual…the war doesn’t affect you.
But it affects us. And when it is over and the troops come home and they try to piece together what’s left of them after their service…where will the detractors be then? Where will the Cindy Sheehans be to comfort and talk to soldiers and help them sort out the last couple years of their lives, most of which have been spent dodging death and wading through the deaths of their friends? They will be where they always are, somewhere far away, where the horrors of the world can’t touch them. Somewhere where they can complain about things they will never experience in their lifetime; things that the young men and women of America have willingly taken upon their shoulders.
We are the hope of the Iraqi people. They want what everyone else wants in life: safety, security, somewhere to call home. They want a country that is safe to raise their children in. Not a place where their children will be abducted, raped and murdered if they do not comply with the terrorists demands. They want to live on, rebuild and prosper. And America has given them the opportunity, but only if we stay true to the cause and see it to its end. But the country must unite in this endeavor…we cannot place the burden on our military alone. We must all stand up and fight, whether in uniform or not. And supporting us is more than sticking yellow ribbon stickers on your cars. It’s supporting our President, our troops and our cause.
Right now, the burden is all on the American soldiers. Right now, hope rides alone. But it can change, it must change. Because there is only failure and darkness ahead for us as a country, as a people, if it doesn’t.
Let’s stop all the political nonsense, let’s stop all the bickering, let’s stop all the bad news and let’s stand and fight!
Isn’t that what America is about anyway?
See author page
What a great piece Sgt. Jeffers wrote. God bless him for his service and sacrifice.
God Bless this young man’s soul.
“Why will people stop at nothing to be against this war, no matter how much evidence of the good we’ve done is thrown in their face?”
…there it is…”Why?”
Why was it immoral to remove a genocidal dictator
Why is it ok to travel overseas:
to provide food to the starving,
to give medicine to the sick,
to build bridges and roads for those who still have to ford streams or trek on goat paths
…but it’s wrong to go overseas and try to protect people from terrorists, from head-sawer-offers, and from suicidal Islamic holy warriors who follow death cults like Al Queda?
Why?
Because as much as Republicans needed to look tough on security after 911, Democrats need to oppose. There is not a single post-911 national security issue that hasn’t seen tens of thousands of Democrats protesting (including the invasion of Afghanistan-which Dems tried to cut the funding for earlier this year). Dems need to oppose to get political support, money, and thus power. Without their opposition…the party is empty, and the people have to face realities they don’t like; realities they faced on 911, but came to believe were no longer real during the 02-04 Presidential campaigns.
Eddie knew it. He understood it. He knew that success and survival depends on national unity-not the deliberate partisan division of America by politicos who can’t handle the truth about the world (evil men exist), or those who need to play on that fear others’ have so that their political careers can survive and/or thrive.
Democrats have ranted for a long time that the solution in Iraq isn’t military. They’re right, but in typical fashion they ignore the other half of that truth.
“…we cannot place the burden on our military alone. We must all stand up and fight, whether in uniform or not. And supporting us is more than sticking yellow ribbon stickers on your cars. It’s supporting our President, our troops and our cause. Right now, the burden is all on the American soldiers. Right now, hope rides alone. But it can change, it must change. Because there is only failure and darkness ahead for us as a country, as a people, if it doesn’t.”
Godspeed Eddie
& thank you
Sgt. Jeffers death is a tragedy for his friends and family. However, we as a nation can find comfort in this sad event knowing that there still are so many stalwart patriots who understand that the freedom and greatness of the United States depends on their willingness to undertake these awful jobs for which thankfully few make the ultimate sacrifice.
Bless you Sgt. Jeffers. You’ve earned a heroe’s rest and a place in the hearts of your countrymen.
Rest well, brave soldier. Rest soundly in your reward.
GodSpeed Brother and have one for me at Fiddler’s Green.
SGT Jeffers plainly stated what so many other US Service Members have been yelling at the top of our lungs for years. As usual, the left, “anti-war” crowd (who are very PRO-WAR, just not on the US’s side), and the conspiracy nuts ignore, verbally assault, and slander Soldiers who state what SGT Jeffers wrote. These morons then have the gaul to say they “support the troops”.
Soldiers like SGT Jeffers are 1000 times the worth of any of their detractors or enemies
I have been moved by Sgt Eddie’s writings. I have corresponded with his Dad. I was grieved when his Dad emailed me about his son’s death. Late Wednesday night, I penned this poem to honor this hero.
May he rest in peace in the arms of our Lord,
Cliff Jones
Eddie Rides With Jesus
In a dangerous, deadly, hostile land,
Rode a brave and courageous man.
He fought evil and despair,
Around every corner, everywhere.
He had ideals, dreams and goals,
Keeping his men alive and whole.
Sgt. Eddie loved his brave men,
And fought to get them home again.
He wrote from his heart so deep,
From his pain and made us weep,
For the truth he penned cut like a knife,
To the heart and soul of American life.
We suffer not as our soldiers die,
We go on our way and pass by,
The crippled veteran, the sad bride,
Whose husband bled and died.
Our soldiers give their blood, their life,
In an effort to end the horrible strife,
Should not we support and care for them,
As they fight to protect us from harm?
Let us change! Start something new!
Show our troops we love them too!!
Let’s get off our duffs, get busy now,
And show them we know when and how!
Send them cards, cookies and cheer,
Do it from our hearts and sincere.
Love them and let them know we care,
In every way, and all through the year!!
Sgt. Eddie has not died in vain,
His cause is ours, we will remain,
Faithful to the dreams he held so dear,
Freedom, freedom both far and near.
Sgt. Eddie has left the scene,
He rests with Jesus, so serene,
His duty done, in a distant land,
His hope has reached a peaceful end.
Eddie’s hope no longer rides alone,
He rides with Jesus, no more groans,
His head held high, feeling joy unbounded,
Through streets of gold with angels surrounded.
We miss you Eddie, wish you were here,
But we know God has called you up there.
Rest well Eddie, your mission is completed,
God’s love for you will never be depleted.
Father in Heaven, Please hold Eddie close to your heart,
Comfort him for us, even though we are apart.
Thanks for the years he lived with us too,
May his life bring great glory and honor to you.
We ask this in the Powerful Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and by his shed blood, in the Power of the Holy Spirit, Amen and Amen
Cliff Jones September 19, 2007
When his death was noted on the local evening news last night, they simply said he was with the 2BCT, 2ID. And, that he died in a non-combat accident, another casualty experienced by the Ft Carson community. The local CBS affiliate was the only one to mention he was highly-regarded milblogger.
There’s more to this brave young man than being another casualty or soldier or milblogger. He did more, he sacrificed more. Remember him for who he was and what he did … defending freedom. And, freedom is worth defending, even with precious life.
I had the privilege of meeting SGT. Eddie Jeffers, but it wasn’t until I read his writings that I felt like I knew him. I will mourn his passing.
Sgt Jeffers should’ve remembered his oath to uphold the constitution. I seem to remember something about freedom of speech.
“quote”
The enemy is transitioning from the Muslim extremists to Americans. The enemy is becoming the very people whom we defend with our lives. And they do not realize it. But in denouncing our actions, denouncing our leaders, denouncing the war we live and fight, they are isolating the military from society…and they are becoming our enemy.
“end quote”
So he is declaring the 70% of Americans disapproving of Bush’s Iraq policies as “enemies”? Or was he just mugging to the Limbaugh Dittohead audience? So, paranoic or liar?
Oh how easy it is to write with disregard for the writings one of many patriots who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The Good Sgt was merely reminding us that due to the liberal political aspirations and not the common good of our society (and of the world) our country is divided without a good reason.
I have spent a few years in the shoes of the Sgt. (TSgt. USAF ret.) during desert storm 1 and can tell you that it isn’t a good feeling to do the duty called upon us as solders, but it is with great pride in our country that we do it. It is to us a great sadness that our fellow countrymen can show such uneducated viewpoints, with the world media at its finger tips. All you need to do is learn of the great strides our country has helped the peoples of Iraq make toward the freedoms we earned 200+ years ago from a dictator ourselves.
We do have the right to free speech, but with those rights comes responsibilities to be informed about which we speak.
So Cole103 if you haven’t had the opportunity to walk in the sand of foreign lands, haven’t wondered if you would return to your family after a daily mission or if you would be able to enjoy the freedoms you so richly and fervently protected. I ask you to look beyond your radio, TV and newspaper and look at the real picture before you take the time to berate the last great words of a true patriot Sgt Eddie Jeffers.
What a difference a year makes?
How some things have changed
…and how some things have not.