thedrifter
09-11-08, 09:07 AM
September tough for Spencers who lost son in Iraq
Do you feel safer seven years after 9/11?
By Rick McCrabb
Columnist
Thursday, September 11, 2008
MADISON TWP. — While our nation pauses today, Sept. 11, 2008 — the seventh anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil — the Spencer family mourns the loss of its own.
Dawn Spencer, who helped raise Marine Lance Cpl. William D. Spencer, who was killed in Fallujah on Dec. 28, 2006, said the 9/11 attacks "started it all ..."
Spencer paused, tried to find lost words, then added: "... and finished it for Billy."
His father, David Spencer, of Madison Twp., referred to the attacks as "the beginning of the end."
But when it comes to celebrating their son's life — and the heroic manner in which he was killed fighting for his country — there's no end for the Spencers.
"It's going to be out there as long as I'm breathing," David Spencer said Wednesday, Sept. 10.
Last month, the Spencers drove to Nashville and accepted their son's Silver Star — the third highest military decoration that can be awarded — during an emotional ceremony, Dawn Spencer said.
"It was one of the good things that comes from bad," she said.
David Spencer said receiving his son's posthumous award relived his death. He called it "another step in the process, if you can call it that, you know, working on what they call closure. I don't believe in that. Why would you want closure on something heroic and honorable?"
They also were handed a citation that detailed the criteria for the silver star. After reading the words, Dawn Spencer said, "You can hear the gunfire, smell in the stench. It puts you right there."
Those in attendance included several buses of Marines from Michigan, who served in Spencer's unit. On the morning of the ceremony, the Marines — preparing to be deployed to Afghanistan — performed a drill that re-enacted the circumstances surrounding Spencer's death.
The Marines dragged tires — that weighed twice their body weight — for more than 100 yards, simulating rescuing a fallen soldier.
"The whole thing was overwhelming," Dawn Spencer said.
David Spencer said he obtained details of his son's death from fellow Marines, who witnessed the deadly attack. Then he read additional details on the citation.
"I knew what had happened, but when you read it, it goes from watching it on TV to watching it from a street corner," he said.
The Spencer family also has created a scholarship in their son's memory. Dawn Spencer said three $1,000 college scholarships will be awarded to local graduating seniors next year.
William Spencer would have celebrated his 22nd birthday last Saturday. Then, just five days later, his family faces 9/11. No wonder they wish they could just flip the calendar.
"It's a very difficult month," Dawn Spencer said.
Ellie
Do you feel safer seven years after 9/11?
By Rick McCrabb
Columnist
Thursday, September 11, 2008
MADISON TWP. — While our nation pauses today, Sept. 11, 2008 — the seventh anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil — the Spencer family mourns the loss of its own.
Dawn Spencer, who helped raise Marine Lance Cpl. William D. Spencer, who was killed in Fallujah on Dec. 28, 2006, said the 9/11 attacks "started it all ..."
Spencer paused, tried to find lost words, then added: "... and finished it for Billy."
His father, David Spencer, of Madison Twp., referred to the attacks as "the beginning of the end."
But when it comes to celebrating their son's life — and the heroic manner in which he was killed fighting for his country — there's no end for the Spencers.
"It's going to be out there as long as I'm breathing," David Spencer said Wednesday, Sept. 10.
Last month, the Spencers drove to Nashville and accepted their son's Silver Star — the third highest military decoration that can be awarded — during an emotional ceremony, Dawn Spencer said.
"It was one of the good things that comes from bad," she said.
David Spencer said receiving his son's posthumous award relived his death. He called it "another step in the process, if you can call it that, you know, working on what they call closure. I don't believe in that. Why would you want closure on something heroic and honorable?"
They also were handed a citation that detailed the criteria for the silver star. After reading the words, Dawn Spencer said, "You can hear the gunfire, smell in the stench. It puts you right there."
Those in attendance included several buses of Marines from Michigan, who served in Spencer's unit. On the morning of the ceremony, the Marines — preparing to be deployed to Afghanistan — performed a drill that re-enacted the circumstances surrounding Spencer's death.
The Marines dragged tires — that weighed twice their body weight — for more than 100 yards, simulating rescuing a fallen soldier.
"The whole thing was overwhelming," Dawn Spencer said.
David Spencer said he obtained details of his son's death from fellow Marines, who witnessed the deadly attack. Then he read additional details on the citation.
"I knew what had happened, but when you read it, it goes from watching it on TV to watching it from a street corner," he said.
The Spencer family also has created a scholarship in their son's memory. Dawn Spencer said three $1,000 college scholarships will be awarded to local graduating seniors next year.
William Spencer would have celebrated his 22nd birthday last Saturday. Then, just five days later, his family faces 9/11. No wonder they wish they could just flip the calendar.
"It's a very difficult month," Dawn Spencer said.
Ellie