An Untimely and Irrevocable Absence

[thisnewday]

This week a young soldier from Central New York was brought home, KIA only days into his second tour in Afghanistan and only weeks after marrying his college sweetheart. The local papers carried the news of his final journey: his arrival from Ramsden on a C-5A Galaxy, the flight into Syracuse by private jet, the muted thunder of the Patriot Guard escort back to the streets of his hometown.

He was young, a sports star in high school, and strikingly handsome. His young bride, as well, was extraordinarily beautiful and their picture, together, was prominently featured in coverage by the local media. Somehow, it reminded me of this video and the hard, hard irony of its repeated question, "Who wants to live forever?"

I'm pretty sure that if he'd had the chance to answer it, after his grieving wife spoke at his funeral, he would say that he did. Because in that moment he would've understood that her bravery, in the face of his untimely and irrevocable absence, was in every way the equal of his own.

In the meantime, may the God who is said to be the refuge of young widows and fallen soldiers receive them into His care... and comfort them both.

LPK
LiveJournal
10.20.2010