Zack's funeral was yesterday. Along with a vast turnout of family, friends and teammates from the 82nd Airborne, Senator John Kerry and the Governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, were in attendance. There was a military fly-by, with the tear-jerking missing-man formation. Flags and bugles and eulogies.
Zack's dad had a little chat with Kerry, telling the senator he has a bad situation on his hands and really needs to do something about it.
Kerry agreed, but it's too late for Zack.
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31 comments:
What a deep loss. As I said in an earlier message to you, sometimes there are no words.
I am so sorry for the loss that you and your family have suffered.
I just wanted to let you know how truly sad and sorry I am for all of those who loved and knew your nephew. Loss is never easy and he will always be missed. My hope is that you will find peace in time and comfort in remembrance.
Every American owes a debt of gratitude to the fine young people like your nephew who serve for us all, no matter what our political views. I'm so sorry for your family.
~ Peggasus
My thoughts are with you. His face is so young and beautiful. This is a heavy weight to carry; you're brave to share your sadness with us.
Hugs to you.
Our hearts go out to you and your family. Hang in there and please ask if there's anything we can do. Love his beautiful young face!
It's truly a tragedy. I can only imagine how sad you must feel, but I truly hope you're doing ok.
What a lovely looking boy, far too young to no longer be around. Nothing I can type will make anything any better but do know that somewhere on the other side of the world someone is sending you kind & gentle thoughts.
(D)MM
Isn't it curious how, regardless of our political beliefs, military honors at funerals are so deeply moving? The Marines sent an honor guard to my dad's funeral, and it brought everyone to tears. I still get choked up thinking about it.
You and Cranky and your family are in our thoughts. Please, please let us know if there's anything we can do.
I just wanted to let you know that I read your blog entry just before hearing on our local news that a New Hampshire/Massachusetts solider had been killed in Afghanistan. I can only imagine this is the same Zach. As a citizen of the US, I am in debt to your family for your sacrifice. As a citizen of NH, I wil do what I can to vote for the candidate who can bring order to the chaos that is our foreign policy. Peace be with you.
I am so sorry, my heart goes out to you and your family. I am so sorry.
My thoughts are with you and your family. Be well and take good care of each other.
Thinking of you and your family. I hope Kerry offered something better than a line - he owes you that much, at least.
May you all find peace.
I'm very sorry for your family's loss.
peace
I'm so sorry -- it is even more heart wrenching to see his face. These are horrible times, and I'm so sad it has come so close to home for you. I have some young cousins who keep doing tours in Iraq, reminds me we have young people in combat zones every day in harm's way.
Zach, R.I.P.
We have all of us lost him.
Weeping with you, weeping for you. And for Zach's parents, wife, uncle, auntie, and all of you. Just weeping for us all, dammit.
I'm sorry for your loss and I agree that you're very brave to share it with us. Sometimes the blog world can be separated from our real lives, and sometimes it just can't.
When I saw your first announcement I was speechless.
Now seeing the picture of your beautiful nephew all I can do is weep, which is what all the photos of the precious kids killed over there induces in me.
We need to get out of there now.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Oh my dear Cookiecrumb.
I just hope for you and for us all this mess ends, but soon.
I'm with Kudzu. Words aren't enough.
xxoo
My heart goes out to you and your family at this terrible loss.
I am deeply sorry for your loss. What a handsome young man, what a terrible tragedy to lose his life this way
my profound condolences to you and your family
Such a waste of a life.
I read this as I listen to Seymore Hirsch on NPR talking about the posturing of the US against Iran... where will this all end? Sorry for your loss, and sorry for all those to come...
lots of love and healing wishes from one too sad to blog to another
I keep on coming back to look at his photo and yet I can't think of anything good to say except that I am thinking of you guys and your extended family and I'm sad and angry.
Thank you, Cookiecrumb, for writing a loving tribute to Zack and for sharing Cranky with me this weekend. I loved having him here with me. And a heartfelt thank you to all your readers who left comforting words for us all.
Love, Cranky's Sister and Zachary's Mom
Pam: I am honored that you dropped by. Thank you. My sympathy and condolences to you, but... you know that. You are a brave woman.
What a fine looking man your nephew was. And I'm so glad you posted his photo here. It's not right that his life was shortened by such a senseless war. His sacrifice, and that of others like him, should never be forgotten.
Glad you're back, too.
KathyF: Fine looking man indeed. And he really developed in the army. Won a bunch of medals for valor (he saved two of his men from a burning Hummer, burning himself).
I don't think the army was the right place for him, but nobody tried to talk him out of it.
Thanks, Kath.
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