Fired up in Indiana!

[Voodoo67]

Thanks for the heartfelt posts, sure means a lot to me, but I need to tell you, my Dustin didn't die overseas, he died here, 3 weeks home from Iraq, killed by a drunk driver at 10:39 pm on his way home, so he could get an early start to head to Ft. Hood. I thank God for those three weeks, he left here a boy, but returned a man, and what a man he was, right before the funeral, a couple of his squad asked if they could speak privately, they led me into a room where the rest of his unit was waiting....every one of them had left their families to be here.. and they told me at one time or another he had saved every one of them.."Sir, none of us would be here if it were'nt for the actions of your son...He always had our 6....... He was and always will be our hero" and with that they all saluted me.......I was truly speachless, I had not heard of any of this...I had prepared myself for him going to war and the possibility of him not coming home being part of an assault team and all, but not for this, not this way.......so during the funeral my front row seat remained empty as I stood in an archway behind everyone... at attention, I noticed someone get up, then another and another.... one by one each of his unit came and stood behind me .....also at attention........it was the most moving experience that I have ever felt, even though he died on a dark country road 10 miles from home, he died a hero in many eyes... He was my son, my hero..... and my best friend....and I'll miss him each and every day..............Now please forgive me for being emotional, but I really need to get this out...... April is often pretty hard for me, but this year it has hit me a bit early.....This Saturday, my daughter and I are to be part of a Gold Star memorial bus tour, we will be meeting many others that have lost their loved ones while heading to 3 different memorials, I don't know what's going to happen, but I cannot break down..I need to get this out before, the next few days I fear will be filled with many tears, but I need to remain strong as I never got to see the memorial held for Dustin at Ft. Hood, so this will be very hard,I do hope you understand..............Steve Hartley(USN/80-83),Proud Gold Star Father.

[Montana71-F100]

Thanks for sharing that moving story. Something similar happened to my cousin. He volunteered for 3 tours in Vietnam because he didn't want young inexperienced men getting killed. Not long after he got home, he and some friends went for a ride in a local man's plane. It crashed, killing all 8 people aboard. The owner/pilot had been drinking. Things like that and what happened to your son just aren't fair. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[sargentrs]

That is a true tragedy! Your story, and his, are inspirational. My prayers are with you and your family.

[jbohall001]

welcome from LA!!

[randyvines]

welcome from waco

[Racer Z]

Welcome from So Cal.