thedrifter
05-09-06, 03:57 AM
Soldiers Honored
WHO-TV Des Moines
They died doing what their country asked of them, and tonight Iowa leaders honored them for their sacrifice. We've all seen pictures of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, pictures that are especially alarming for the families of loved ones who are serving overseas. Tonight the 40 Iowans who didn't come home to their families are honored for answering the call.
It is a fraternity no one under the capitol dome wanted to be a part of, but Governor Vilsack had a specific message for all of them. "That you may find peace and comfort today - in the memory of this sacrifice for a larger cause."
One by one, the names of the deceased were read - family members came forward - exchanged words with the governor and left with memorial flags...
The most emotional moment at the capitol came when family members came face to face with a memorial outside the governor's office. The memorial contains the names and images of all forty young Iowa men who have died in connection with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Among those in attendance were Nelson and Marie Carman from Jefferson. They have gone through several flags since their son Ben died in Iraq two years ago. They have transformed a small piece of land into a simple, but thought provoking tribute. Around the flag pole are 12 bushes - one for each of the marines killed in Ramadi the same day Lance Corporal Ben Carman died.Inside their home memories of their son are everywhere, they are not trying to forget. His uniform, with his medals - his pictures as a Marine machine gunner are all ways the family can stay whole.
That's the reason 31 families gathered today at the capitol, even though in a way, they wish they never met. Several families were overcome with emotion as they looked at the new memorial to the 40 Iowa men outside the governor's office. Ben Carman's father could have been speaking for everyone when he said memorials will help future iowans, especially family members of the soldiers understand that their ancestors played tremendous roles in not only U.S. history, but Iowa's and Iraq's history as well.
Ellie
WHO-TV Des Moines
They died doing what their country asked of them, and tonight Iowa leaders honored them for their sacrifice. We've all seen pictures of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, pictures that are especially alarming for the families of loved ones who are serving overseas. Tonight the 40 Iowans who didn't come home to their families are honored for answering the call.
It is a fraternity no one under the capitol dome wanted to be a part of, but Governor Vilsack had a specific message for all of them. "That you may find peace and comfort today - in the memory of this sacrifice for a larger cause."
One by one, the names of the deceased were read - family members came forward - exchanged words with the governor and left with memorial flags...
The most emotional moment at the capitol came when family members came face to face with a memorial outside the governor's office. The memorial contains the names and images of all forty young Iowa men who have died in connection with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Among those in attendance were Nelson and Marie Carman from Jefferson. They have gone through several flags since their son Ben died in Iraq two years ago. They have transformed a small piece of land into a simple, but thought provoking tribute. Around the flag pole are 12 bushes - one for each of the marines killed in Ramadi the same day Lance Corporal Ben Carman died.Inside their home memories of their son are everywhere, they are not trying to forget. His uniform, with his medals - his pictures as a Marine machine gunner are all ways the family can stay whole.
That's the reason 31 families gathered today at the capitol, even though in a way, they wish they never met. Several families were overcome with emotion as they looked at the new memorial to the 40 Iowa men outside the governor's office. Ben Carman's father could have been speaking for everyone when he said memorials will help future iowans, especially family members of the soldiers understand that their ancestors played tremendous roles in not only U.S. history, but Iowa's and Iraq's history as well.
Ellie