thedrifter
06-02-09, 08:13 AM
Marine's death serves to help others
By George Jones
The Reporter
Published June 2, 2009
On March 10, 2008, Lance Corporal (LCPL), David Harrison Miles boarded a bus at Fort Rucker, following weekend training with the Bessemer-based Anti-Terrorism Battalion, the 4th Marine Division.
David, whose Christian faith sustained his daily life, unexpectedly found his next stop was a heavenly one.
Within a few minutes, the bus overturned in a curve on the base, and 22 Marines would be injured.
David died from his injuries a few hours later.
For most parents, the loss of a child, whether military or not, would be followed by a period of mourning, then a time where the severity of the loss, over time, fades and a lifetime of memories of the one lost begins to fill the void.
Not so for David’s mom, Pam Brady, of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Brady’s parents, Jimmie and Charles Grimes, and many other family members live in Albertville and Guntersville.
David, it seems, left a legacy of serving others.
At age 12, he developed an understanding he would one day serve his country as a United States Marine. His concern for men and women in the Corps began while he was a student at Bob Jones High School in Huntsville.
“David was a giver in life. While in high school, he began organizing and sending care packages to the troops overseas,” Brady said.
“He continued doing that while he was in college at the University of Alabama and even after he joined the Marines.”
Shortly after David’s tragic death, Brady began carrying the gauntlet dropped by her son on that fateful March morning.
The gauntlet took the form of what is know known as “David’s Way.”
It is the result of her efforts to continue supporting the troops and raise awareness for other causes David supported.
In the beginning, Brady began providing care packages, as her son did, for the Marines of his unit and eventually other units.
Today, “David’s Way” encompasses the care packages and David’s concern for bone and organ donors, blood donations and a number of charitable organizations.
While Brady does not actively solicit funding for the care package program, because of the complexity and time needed to produce the packages, she does solicit asassistance in writing individual personalized letters or cards to accompany the packages to the troops.
“Even though it might seem mundane and boring, to them it is like gold,” she said.
The mother who understands all too well the sacrifice our troops make, and the legacy of service and faith of her son, encourages everyone, “to remember all military personnel daily and lift them and their families up to God in prayer.”
She further encourages all when out in public and “…see someone in the military, please acknowledge their service and sacrifice for our country.”
During a telephone interview, David’s mom said, “The response has just been wonderful. I have received correspondence from volunteers to write letters as far away as Canada.”
Brady added, “The feedback from those expressing their appreciation for the packages and what the David’s Way program has meant to them has really touched my heart.
“Such as a very sweet letter from a soldier that had received a package and said how appreciative he was,” she said.
The packages contain a wide variety of items ranging from toiletries, candy, snacks, small footballs and baseballs and powdered drinks.
“One item, included in many packages, is a can of Silly String, originally included for stress relief, it has been put to a different use by many of the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Brady said.
“It seems the Silly String can be used to detect a booby-trap bomb’s trip wires by spraying it in the air near where one is suspected to be,” she said. “The string is not heavy enough to trip the wire, but allows the wire to be seen before a soldier trips it.
“David touched many lives during his short time on earth, but God decided his work on earth was complete and he needed him as a warrior in Heaven.”
According to those who knew David, his Christian witness continues to influence others even though he is gone.
Pam’s parents, Jimmie and Charles Grimes, as well as many others of her family members, live in Albertville and Guntersville.
“If anyone knows of a military person they would like to have receive a package and a letter just contact me,” Brady said.
For more information about David’s Way and his mother’s efforts to continue his legacy of service call 1-615-268-5031 or email: lcpldavidmiles(at)yahoo.com.
Ellie
By George Jones
The Reporter
Published June 2, 2009
On March 10, 2008, Lance Corporal (LCPL), David Harrison Miles boarded a bus at Fort Rucker, following weekend training with the Bessemer-based Anti-Terrorism Battalion, the 4th Marine Division.
David, whose Christian faith sustained his daily life, unexpectedly found his next stop was a heavenly one.
Within a few minutes, the bus overturned in a curve on the base, and 22 Marines would be injured.
David died from his injuries a few hours later.
For most parents, the loss of a child, whether military or not, would be followed by a period of mourning, then a time where the severity of the loss, over time, fades and a lifetime of memories of the one lost begins to fill the void.
Not so for David’s mom, Pam Brady, of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Brady’s parents, Jimmie and Charles Grimes, and many other family members live in Albertville and Guntersville.
David, it seems, left a legacy of serving others.
At age 12, he developed an understanding he would one day serve his country as a United States Marine. His concern for men and women in the Corps began while he was a student at Bob Jones High School in Huntsville.
“David was a giver in life. While in high school, he began organizing and sending care packages to the troops overseas,” Brady said.
“He continued doing that while he was in college at the University of Alabama and even after he joined the Marines.”
Shortly after David’s tragic death, Brady began carrying the gauntlet dropped by her son on that fateful March morning.
The gauntlet took the form of what is know known as “David’s Way.”
It is the result of her efforts to continue supporting the troops and raise awareness for other causes David supported.
In the beginning, Brady began providing care packages, as her son did, for the Marines of his unit and eventually other units.
Today, “David’s Way” encompasses the care packages and David’s concern for bone and organ donors, blood donations and a number of charitable organizations.
While Brady does not actively solicit funding for the care package program, because of the complexity and time needed to produce the packages, she does solicit asassistance in writing individual personalized letters or cards to accompany the packages to the troops.
“Even though it might seem mundane and boring, to them it is like gold,” she said.
The mother who understands all too well the sacrifice our troops make, and the legacy of service and faith of her son, encourages everyone, “to remember all military personnel daily and lift them and their families up to God in prayer.”
She further encourages all when out in public and “…see someone in the military, please acknowledge their service and sacrifice for our country.”
During a telephone interview, David’s mom said, “The response has just been wonderful. I have received correspondence from volunteers to write letters as far away as Canada.”
Brady added, “The feedback from those expressing their appreciation for the packages and what the David’s Way program has meant to them has really touched my heart.
“Such as a very sweet letter from a soldier that had received a package and said how appreciative he was,” she said.
The packages contain a wide variety of items ranging from toiletries, candy, snacks, small footballs and baseballs and powdered drinks.
“One item, included in many packages, is a can of Silly String, originally included for stress relief, it has been put to a different use by many of the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Brady said.
“It seems the Silly String can be used to detect a booby-trap bomb’s trip wires by spraying it in the air near where one is suspected to be,” she said. “The string is not heavy enough to trip the wire, but allows the wire to be seen before a soldier trips it.
“David touched many lives during his short time on earth, but God decided his work on earth was complete and he needed him as a warrior in Heaven.”
According to those who knew David, his Christian witness continues to influence others even though he is gone.
Pam’s parents, Jimmie and Charles Grimes, as well as many others of her family members, live in Albertville and Guntersville.
“If anyone knows of a military person they would like to have receive a package and a letter just contact me,” Brady said.
For more information about David’s Way and his mother’s efforts to continue his legacy of service call 1-615-268-5031 or email: lcpldavidmiles(at)yahoo.com.
Ellie