thedrifter
12-27-08, 06:47 AM
Holidays can test deceased Oklahoma troops’ families
For the bereaved, memories can come flooding back this time of year
By SEAN MURPHY
Published: December 27, 2008
When Steven Farley’s extended family gathered for a Christmas photo this year, there was an empty space in the middle of the group. The spot was reserved for the 57-year-old naval reservist who died in June when a bomb tore through a municipal building where he was working in Sadr City, Iraq.
"That’s an empty spot in our life that we’ll never be able to fill,” said Farley’s son, Brett Farley.
The Farleys are among about 80 Oklahoma families who have lost a loved one serving in Iraq or Afghanistan since combat operations began more than five years ago.
Figures from an Associated Press tally based on initial news releases from the Department of Defense show 71 service members from Oklahoma have been killed serving in Iraq, while nine have died in Afghanistan. A total of 4,217 Americans have been killed in Iraq and 624 in Afghanistan since the start of combat operations, according to AP figures.
The figures don’t include Cpl. Stephen Zapasnik, 19, a Broken Arrow soldier who died Wednesday in Iraq with two others in a Humvee crash.
For Steven Farley’s family, this was the first holiday season without him, and it was difficult for members of his family who gathered at his parents’ home in Edmond, Brett Farley said.
"Christmas Eve happened to be the six-month anniversary of his death, to the day,” Farley said. "It gives us an opportunity to collectively remember all the years we had with him.
"It gives us a chance to reflect on just how blessed we were, when we might not have had that opportunity otherwise.”
One last Christmas
For Warren Henthorn of Choctaw, Christmas Day marked four years since he last saw his son alive.
Spc. Jeffrey Henthorn, 25, died in February 2005 in Balad, Iraq, of noncombat-related injuries.
"Christmas is always tough for me and Jeffery’s mother,” the elder Henthorn said. "The last day we saw him alive was on Christmas in 2004. We had dinner Christmas Eve and then saw him off on the 25th.
"It’s sad, but at least we got to see him for the last Christmas, which a lot of people don’t get that.”
Henthorn said he usually spends one day during the holidays making a quiet visit to his son’s grave in Midwest City.
Although the Defense Department said Jeffrey Henthorn died of noncombat-related injuries, his father said he’s gotten little more information.
Although more than a year has passed since John Scripsick of Wayne lost his son, Bryan, in Iraq, Scripsick says holidays are always difficult.
"Everybody used to be so cheerful, but that flame got blown out. You just try to get through it and smile a little bit, but it’s always in the back of our minds.”
Cpl. Bryan Scripsick was one of four Marines at a checkpoint when they were killed in September 2007 by a suicide bomber in Al Anbar Province.
Ellie
For the bereaved, memories can come flooding back this time of year
By SEAN MURPHY
Published: December 27, 2008
When Steven Farley’s extended family gathered for a Christmas photo this year, there was an empty space in the middle of the group. The spot was reserved for the 57-year-old naval reservist who died in June when a bomb tore through a municipal building where he was working in Sadr City, Iraq.
"That’s an empty spot in our life that we’ll never be able to fill,” said Farley’s son, Brett Farley.
The Farleys are among about 80 Oklahoma families who have lost a loved one serving in Iraq or Afghanistan since combat operations began more than five years ago.
Figures from an Associated Press tally based on initial news releases from the Department of Defense show 71 service members from Oklahoma have been killed serving in Iraq, while nine have died in Afghanistan. A total of 4,217 Americans have been killed in Iraq and 624 in Afghanistan since the start of combat operations, according to AP figures.
The figures don’t include Cpl. Stephen Zapasnik, 19, a Broken Arrow soldier who died Wednesday in Iraq with two others in a Humvee crash.
For Steven Farley’s family, this was the first holiday season without him, and it was difficult for members of his family who gathered at his parents’ home in Edmond, Brett Farley said.
"Christmas Eve happened to be the six-month anniversary of his death, to the day,” Farley said. "It gives us an opportunity to collectively remember all the years we had with him.
"It gives us a chance to reflect on just how blessed we were, when we might not have had that opportunity otherwise.”
One last Christmas
For Warren Henthorn of Choctaw, Christmas Day marked four years since he last saw his son alive.
Spc. Jeffrey Henthorn, 25, died in February 2005 in Balad, Iraq, of noncombat-related injuries.
"Christmas is always tough for me and Jeffery’s mother,” the elder Henthorn said. "The last day we saw him alive was on Christmas in 2004. We had dinner Christmas Eve and then saw him off on the 25th.
"It’s sad, but at least we got to see him for the last Christmas, which a lot of people don’t get that.”
Henthorn said he usually spends one day during the holidays making a quiet visit to his son’s grave in Midwest City.
Although the Defense Department said Jeffrey Henthorn died of noncombat-related injuries, his father said he’s gotten little more information.
Although more than a year has passed since John Scripsick of Wayne lost his son, Bryan, in Iraq, Scripsick says holidays are always difficult.
"Everybody used to be so cheerful, but that flame got blown out. You just try to get through it and smile a little bit, but it’s always in the back of our minds.”
Cpl. Bryan Scripsick was one of four Marines at a checkpoint when they were killed in September 2007 by a suicide bomber in Al Anbar Province.
Ellie