Fallen Marine’s Heartfelt Letter: ‘There Will Be a Child Who Will Live’ Because of This Sacrifice
- Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:38pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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KABUL, Afghanistan (The Blaze/AP) — U.S. Marine Sgt. William Stacey was killed earlier this year by a homemade bomb in southern Afghanistan, a tragedy for which he prepared by writing a letter to his family explaining why he was fighting that was to be read in the event of his death.
The Blaze previously reported on Stacey’s passing, and of his poignant letter, but today that letter was read aloud by the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan as a Memorial Day tribute in Afghanistan.
Marine Gen. John Allen read the 23-year-old’s letter during a Memorial Day service Monday in Kabul in memory of all the troops who have died in the country since the war started in 2001.
“Today we remember his life and his words, for they speak resoundingly and timelessly for our fallen brothers and sisters in arms,” said Allen, who also leads the NATO coalition in Afghanistan.
Stacey was on his fourth deployment to Afghanistan when he was killed on January 31 in Helmand province. The young Marine from Redding, California, told his family that he was motivated to fight in Afghanistan to protect the country’s children and provide them the opportunity to go to school and live out their dreams.
“There will be a child who will live because men left the security they enjoyed in their home to come to his,” Stacey wrote in his letter. “He will have the gift of freedom which I have enjoyed for so long myself, and if my life brings the safety of a child who will one day change the world, then I know that it was all worth it.”
ABC provides a report:
Stacey deployed to Afghanistan with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton, California.
At least 1,851 members of the U.S. military have died in Afghanistan as a result of the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, according to the latest Associated Press count.
Allen said that since he took over command in Afghanistan in July 2011, at least 251 American troops, 76 other NATO coalition members and 1,296 members of the Afghan security forces have been killed in the country.
Three more members of the NATO coalition were killed Monday, two in a helicopter crash in the east and one in an insurgent attack in the south, the force said.
During Monday’s ceremony at NATO coalition headquarters, Allen helped lay a large wreath at the base of a pedestal holding a battlefield cross – the traditional memorial to a fallen soldier, constructed using the troop’s boots, rifle, helmet and dog tags. Allen stepped back and crisply saluted as Taps played over a speaker.
Support for the Afghan war has waned in the U.S. and other countries in the coalition as casualties have mounted and progress has seemed elusive. The U.S. plans to transfer security responsibilities to Afghan forces by the middle of 2013 and withdraw most of its combat troops by the end of the following year.
Despite the human cost of the war, Allen said the soldiers who have fallen did not die in vain.
“While our brothers and sisters fell in a place far from home, far from their families, the values for which they stood and for which they lived and for which they died occupy an enduring place in our hearts,” said Allen. “Those values: freedom, duty, selflessness and sacrifice.”
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Comments (42)
Dismayed Veteran
Posted on May 29, 2012 at 9:42amThe day that a country stops honoring the fallen, the wounded, the widowed, the childless, is the day that freedom is lost.
To all of you who chose to post a political statement or denegrate our veterans, you have no honor.
Sgt. William Stacey knew what he was willing to die for.
I remember MSG Russell Peter “Pete” Bott, 1st Special Forces Group, Detachment B-52, Recon Team Viper, MIA, Laos, 6 Dec 1966. Two live sightings. Missing but not forgotten.
Report Post »berlet98
Posted on May 29, 2012 at 2:21amMemorial Day Postscript
In “Memorial Day 2012″, I committed a serious error of omission as well as what liberals would characterize as a grievous blunder in word usage.
In calling for renewed recognition of the meaning of Memorial Day honoring the 1,343,812 men and women who have died in the service of our country, I neglected to mention the tens of millions of veterans of America’s wars who honorably served. I also made the mistake–according to the Left–of calling our war dead “heroes.”
Americans often confuse Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, with another national holiday, Veterans’ Day, originally referred to as Armistice Day.
Memorial Day honors our war dead whereas the latter commemorates the official conclusion of World War One on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. The purpose of Veterans’ day was later changed to celebrate all who have served in America’s military.
In fact, all veterans should be saluted as heroes and remembered in our prayers. The only difference between them and our fallen heroes is that they survived.
Consider showing your appreciation and support for our hero vets by contributing to the very worthy Wounded Warrior Project.
Then, again, are they really “heroes”?
Chris Hayes thinks not.
The leftist
Report Post »valleyfever
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:45pmSome give it all and some don’t give anything…and we have the kid in TX who is too tired to stand for the pledge of allegience. Go figure
Report Post »Lost Rebel
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 9:04pmWhat an unusual young man, so profound in his thinking. It is sad that he is gone because America desperately needs these brave, unselfish people to be here. They are the ones we cannot afford to lose. These are the cream of the crop.
Report Post »Seneca
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:06pmTo politicize Memorial Day is an abomination!
Report Post »Regardless of your political inclination, if you cannot honor the memory of those who have fallen for your freedom, keep your silence!
There’ll be another day and another time when you’ll be granted the right that the soldiers you’re criticizing have reserved for you.
As for the Marine who paid the ultimate price to allow us to continue to preserve our freedoms, I thank you and your brothers in arms. To the families you’ve left behind, I thank you and pray for you.
God has one more Marine to stand guard at the gates of Heaven. When my time comes to face my maker, I will square my shoulders, snap my heels, and salute you for your sacrifices. Semper Fi!
Hickory
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 4:51pmNo matter what MSNBC says, these fine young Americans are Heroes.
Report Post »LOJ
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 3:46pmTotally Awesome, God give us more unselfish Men of Honor, who fight for Freedom and Fairness for All Peoples! God bless the Best of the Best!
Report Post »Reagan_Patriot
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 3:39pmYes a child will live… even if it’s an unaborted liberal.
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 4:48pmyou speak like a true rat.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on May 29, 2012 at 9:31amYou just go bad karma. Memorial Day is the one day there is no permission to bring in politics.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 3:15pmA poignant response to MSNBC Chris Hayes thoughtless Words.
Report Post »inferno
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 3:06pmAny person or entity that does not consider the fallen to be heros, is a person or entity who knows they will never be able to obtain the measure of integrity an courage our military has attained. As pathetic the military critics are, they are enjoying the freedoms the heros have so bravely fought and died for. It must be hell for the critics when they are forced to look at themselves in the mirror, and realize they will never live up to the standards of the fallen heros.
Report Post »Sayre
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 3:05pmIn the view of the Taliban fanatics, we are invading infidels. I don’t care a bit for these barbarians. I remember the images of Taliban executions in there infamous soccer field. With al-Qaeda and the Taliban’s warped flavor of Islam, they are tyrants on the same level of the Nazis of the 1930s. Women there are now in less fear of their lives, children are being educated… Thanks to U.S., they are already better off then they were.
We are there to deny the fanatics a base from which to freely train, to attack America. In this effort, we are also protecting the innocent. Fighting tyranny and oppression is what we do, and who we are. The choice is easy, we can let the fanatics teach the children hate and their twisted view of Islam, or show them, a better way. We don’t preach, we don’t proselytize or push bibles, we show them kindness and protection. You know, actions, not words.
Our military people there, are HEROS! Do some Americans deny that? Sure. Unfortunately, we have our own brand of American hating, neo-Marxist critical theory hacks that would be just as happy oppressing our own freedom. One only has to look at Dod/Frank or Obamacare to see it. Fortunately, they are a minority rapidly loosing power in the U.S. After November, they may still be able to make noise, but that will be about all they can do.
R.I.P. Marine.. you are a hero.
Report Post »freedom_baby
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 2:47pmI don’t post often. But only being 21 and married to a Marine whos done his fair share, and lost some of his brave brothers, I thought I’d share this poem.
The Marine stood and faced God
Report Post »Which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass.
“Step forward now, you Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?”
The Marine squared his shoulders and
said, “No, Lord, I guess I ain’t
Because those of us who carry guns
Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I’ve been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn’t mine to keep…
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,
It needn’t be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.”
There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God,
“Step forward now, you Marine,
You’ve borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in Hell.”
JapesMacfarland
Posted on May 29, 2012 at 9:07amBeautiful. Thank you for sharing. :)
Report Post »Cherbear
Posted on May 29, 2012 at 9:39amBeautiful; thank you for sharing and God bless your husband.
Report Post »AUsername
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 2:36pmNo, there will be a child without a father because of this endless non defensive war pushed on by lobbyists funding politicians.
Report Post »JapesMacfarland
Posted on May 29, 2012 at 9:09amYour entire premise really ends up depending on a presupposition that there is not real evil out there in the world worth fighting, and worth hating. Unfortunately, you’re wrong.
Report Post »ConservativeCanucklehead
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:53pmBrave, sweet, wonderful boy. Amazing, inspiring man.
Report Post »What a gift you have given to the children of Afghanistan.
What an inspiration you have provided to all of us here at home.
lketchum
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:48pmI and my family can never repay the debt we owe to those who sacrificed their lives in order to preserve our liberty.
Let’s truly honor them by exercising all of our rights, and insisting that we be a nation of laws, and not men.
Report Post »ONEOFMILLIONS
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:38pmRest in Peace Marine – You Did Your Duty. And yes Chris Haynes – “He is a HERO”.
Report Post »Look4DBigPicture
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 2:04pmYes, he is … and will FOREVER BE A HERO (Mr. Ignoramus Haynes who talks like an electronic dictionary.)
U.S. Marine Sgt. William Stacey left an amazing and powerful gift for his family (and all of us) to cherish. They are undoubtedly suffering from their loss, yet also experiencing a great deal of gratitude for being blessed with such a wonderful son. I’m grateful for his service and sacrifice and my prayers go out to his family.
Report Post »calmandclear
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:35pm“There will be a child who will live…..” . Yes, and that child may be the one to plot the next successful attack on our country. These people are Muslim and our presence in their country is a waste of American lives and wealth. I am sickened by the thousands of American dead, horrified at the thousands of maimed and disfigured. No amount of money can compensate the wounded, nor can it give them back the lives they had before this war. Only the most naive and ignorant could possibly believe that a Muslim population would welcome Christian invaders and, yes, that is how they see us. Invading Christians, infidels, the people their religious leaders hate and urge them to kill. No matter what we attempt to do to better the lives of these people they will still hate us. The true crime here is the misleading of the American people. We have been told we are bringing democracy and freedom to the Middle East, to Iran, to Afghanistan, no, not at all. When we leave everything will return to what it was before we arrived, nothing will have changed. It will have all been for nothing, the loss of lives, the squandering of our nation’s wealth. The only accomplishment of note, we have shown the Muslim world that we are not afraid to fight and die. They no longer believe us to be weak and unwilling to fight. Now we need to show them how smart we are, we need to end this war in Afghanistan. It is not worth spilling any more American blood, bring them home.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 2:07pmIslam is a Theocracy of World Conquest… based upon the Koran. This Country has been fighting Muslims ever sine it’s beginning!
The question is: Where do want to Fight them… here, or over there?
Report Post »SwoonCraft
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 2:26pmFor a large percentage of the population I agree with what you have said but there are many Muslims that have risked everything to support the US and for the chance to have freedom. Think of the Doctor that walked 12 miles one way to give the US information that lead to the rescue of Jessica Lynch. Think of the Doctor that gave information to the US that lead to elimination of OBL. Look at the Iranian uprising that BHO failed to support. I could go on….
What about our own civil war. How high was the cost for freedom? Should we have said it’s just not worth it?
No freedom isn’t free but a threat to freedom anywhere is a threat to freedom everywhere. I for one will stand on the side of freedom.
Report Post »NVIIIX1
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 2:38pmCalmadclear,
I happen to agree with you that the US is wasting it’s time using the military as part of nation-building. I am deployed in Africa now, and I happen to know that nation-building is a ruse and colossal waste.
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 2:39pmFreedom cannot be given – it must be earned. We earned our freedom in this country and have already given it away to the government.
How long do you think afganis will hold onto freedom when they haven‘t ’earned’ it? 1, 2, maybe 3 years? That power will be given right back to their tribal or muslim brotherhood leaders
Report Post »Zuitsuit
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:33pmA child will live? Maybe if he doesnt get killed by a NATO bomb, missle or artillery shell like so many other children have been slaughtererd with
Report Post »Altair
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:36pmReally nice thing to say on Memorial Day.
Democrat.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 2:10pmKilling the Enemy is… an Art (Imperfect Science)!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:16pmI have no idea if my Deeds affect others, and future generations, positively or negatively. That is for GOD to say… and my Soul to bare…
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:14pmRight now I am playing a cd with the group, “Blood,Sweat & Tears” the song, “And When I Die”.
Sgt. William Stacey gave his all.
I am listening also to the song “Fire & Rain” and I am filling in the name of William. This song is for the family. God Bless William and his family.
Report Post »God Bless America!!! God Bless our military!!!
LouC57
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:03pmWhat a remarkable man Stacey “IS”…one could only wish to understand the sacrifice he was willing to make. If that hellhole falls back into the Taliban, I shudder to think what all our troops sacrifices will mean.
Report Post »Altair
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:34pmSadly, the same thing 58,000 sacrifices meant to the trusting people of the Republic of South Viet Nam.
Report Post »loveliberty83
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:56pmthank you all our brave & wonderful military present & past who have stood up for America , we are so blessed without their sacrifice our freedom would not exist god Bless you all
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:53pmRest In Peace Marine; your job on earth has been completed, may the joys of Heaven be open to you with the knowledge the time to be reunited with family is but a moment compared to our journey on the earth.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:08pmYou said it so well Snow that all I will add is Amen.
Report Post »Codger
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:53pmAccording to MSNBC… this guys not a hero.
That’s simply wrong. All these soldiers are heros.
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:43pmAn amazing story. Damn it makes me so mad that we have lost so many people over there in that hellhole. We have no clear objective anymore and we dishonor them by continuing our presence in that country.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:55pmAll too true, we are not wanted there, the US citizens do not want us there; Obama has us there only for his political gains and to break down further the US Armed Forces; to demonize and demoralize those who he sees as the main support for American evils (in Obamas eyes).
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