'The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because He loves what is behind him.' -G. K. Chesterton

19 September 2009

Major Kenneth Webb RIP

Today will be a tough one for The Sarge.
If you will Sarge, allow me today.

On September 19, 2005, near Mosul Iraq, my family lost one of it's loved ones to a suicide bomber. U.S. Army Special Forces Major (Ret) Kenneth Webb.

Ken left behind a wife, 2 kids, mother and father, 3 brothers, 1 sister, a slew of nieces, nephews and cousins and the friends only exceptional people accrue over a life devoted to service to country.

Son, husband, father, brother, uncle, friend and soldier. He had recently retired from the Army and took a job with Blackwater. He was riding herd on a State Department VIP at the time. Ken did his job to the bitter end and went out as what he was, a Hero and a Warrior. Ken did not go softly into that night, he went down fighting. No warrior can ask for a better epitaph.

We grieve for our loss but remember that there was no better soldier, hell there was no better man than Ken.

We will ever hold him in our hearts and minds. Our thoughts go to his family today. I will be taking the day off to spend it with my wife, Ken's sister, and we will remember him. I'll call the Sarge and the DO and we'll cry a little and then we'll go on. The sacrifice of Ken and others just like him have made us free to do so.

His loss leaves a huge and unfillable hole in our lives but such is ever the fate of those who love a warrior. They do not lead lives devoted to self preservation. They seek out and confront evil wherever it may reside and in whatever form it manifests. They and those who love them pay a price, Lord God they do pay a price. The bill will be paid, whether soon or late, and they will be taken from us before we are ready to let them go. As ever, Ken has led the way to a place we dare not follow too soon.

If you are so inclined I would ask you all to remember Ken's family on this day and to keep them in your prayers that they may find peace. While you're at it, please include the families of all our military men and women who have given their 'last true measure of devotion'. And may those still in harms way come home safely to us and their families.

Amen

The Six

2 comments:

Sarge said...

Thanks Six, that was a very fitting tribute. Kens mom and I spent most of the day remembering the good times. Kens birthday is the 22nd maybe by then I'll be able to post something fitting. Until then please except my personel thanks for the post. I'd like to thank all the readers who will know of our loss and thier kind prayers.

Sarge

Six said...

Take your time Sarge. It was my honor to write it. I cried but it was worth the tears.