Shalom, Guest   Login

What No Parent Wants to Watch

Tweet

print

tell a friend

U.S. Army pallbearers prepare to carry the transfer case of a deceased U.S. soldier into an aircraft during a departure ceremony on the flight line.
Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. David Nolan

Twitter is an interesting concept – it is, above all else, a border-breaker. It breaks all boundaries, all separations between people – for the good and the bad. I am quite active on it – and as a result meet so many interesting people.

Only from this blog and twitter did I learn the meaning of a Gold Star mother or Gold Star father. Now when I see those words, my heart fills with pain. A Gold Star father changed his avatar, the picture associated with his twitter account.

It’s a beautiful avatar, a dedication to his son, who was just 20 when he died. All gave some – some gave all. Lt. Cpl Christopher Blake Rodgers gave all.

I clicked on the link associated with his father’s account and came to a YouTube video called “Dignified Transfer.” It is more than 14 minutes long – very long for a YouTube video. I watched every second of it. Tears began to fall just as the plane came into view the first time.

It is agony to watch – agony for anyone; especially the parent of a soldier. It is every parent’s nightmare, but especially the parent of a soldier. I watched it to the end and so many thoughts filled my mind. One of them, I’ll share – the title. It is so appropriate – this is the way civilized nations behave; this is the way we honor our dead and how we thank them. The last salute brought a crack to my heart that will take time to heal.

I have never met, nor will I ever meet this young man but from the way in which he was honored, and the love his father shares with us, I know I am lessened for never having met him. May God watch over Christopher Blake Rodgers and bless his memory. May he always be remembered for his sacrifice, his courage, and the love he clearly instilled in so many and may his family know no more sorrow.

Tweet

print

tell a friend

About the Author: Visit Paula Stern's blog, A Soldier's Mother.

You might also be interested in:

Yet Another Jewish Org Poised to Honor a BDS Enthusiast (video)

Ziontours Takes Off With Round-Trippers

When American Ambassadors Were Still Untouchable

AG Team on Women’s Discrimination Discriminates Against Women

Senior Israeli Security Official: Assad Is in Control of Syria’s Weapons Systems

IDF Soldiers Humiliated by Arab Rioters: We Are Sitting Ducks

We Should Have Heeded the Warning Signs of Islamist Antisemitism

Al-Qaradawi and the New Religious Conflict with Israel

Upping the Ante: 5 Russian Warships Enter the Mediterranean

35 Thousand Haredim Protest Draft, 10 Cops Injured

Tevye in the Promised Land, Chapter Thirty-Nine: Winds of War

The Teachings of Ruth

The Deeper Meanings of Shavuot

First Jordan, Now Egypt’s Turn to Butt-in on Temple Mount

A Message to Ahmadinejad

The ‘Maharat’: Wonderful Achievement, Bad Idea

Real Zionists Use Bing

In Hebrew: ‘Board’

Fatah Condemns Co-Existence

More Natural Gas Found

Syrian Rebel Commander Eats the Heart of his Enemy

US: Iran Still Has Time to Change Course on Nuclear Program

Congress Widens IRS Investigation, Pro-Israel Groups Were Targeted

Rabbi Riskin Permits Women to Read Ruth for Men in Orthodox Shul

Plague of Locusts Returns to Israel for Shavuot

You must log in to post a comment.