A Memorial Video For Jordan

[TheAxeman]

This is a memorial video that I did for my son Jordan. It was my first try at it. Its a good song so make sure you turn up the volume a little bit. A majority of the pictures I was able to recover off of his own camera, even the self portraits while he was driving through Ramadi. The last picture of him driving his Humvee into the Iraqi Police compound was taken 3 days prior to his death. His vehicle is facing the gate and the command post where the suicide bombers truck exploded and where he was ultimately killed.......................

Brothers In Arms

 

[dcarver]

An outstanding tribute for an outstanding solider who payed the ultimate price. Nicely done Dad.

 

[mdisher]

An outstanding tribute for an outstanding solider who payed the ultimate price. Nicely done Dad.

+1

:clapping:

 

[Blackbird]

Saying, "thank you," is totally inadequate. My heart goes out to you and yours, and my prayers go up for Jordan.

 

[Fred W]

Chris,

What an awesome job, especially for a first ever effort.

One thing that struck me for the first time looking at that video is how much Jordan looked like his old man. I don't know how I didn't see it before, but gawd damn, he sure had your facial expressions down pat.

And you are 1000% right on about the song. One of my all time favorites, man:

Through these fields of destruction
Baptisms of fire
Ive watched all your suffering
As the battles raged higher
And though they did hurt me so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms
 
There's so many different worlds
So many different suns
And we have just one world
But we live in different ones
 
Now the suns gone to hell
And the moons riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But its written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
Were fools to make war
On our brothers in arms
Weather's warming up, finally. I hope to see you soon.

 

[08FJR4ME]

Chills and tears. Don't know what else to say.

I can't imagine how hard it must be.

 

[Patriot]

Amen, Chris...outstanding

Semper Fi

+1000

From the Halls of Montezuma

To the Shores of Tripoli;

We fight our country's battles

In the air, on land and sea;

First to fight for right and freedom

And to keep our honor clean;

We are proud to claim the title

of United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze

From dawn to setting sun;

We have fought in ev'ry clime and place

Where we could take a gun;

In the snow of far-off Northern lands

And in sunny tropic scenes;

You will find us always on the job--

The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps

Which we are proud to serve

In many a strife we've fought for life

And never lost our nerve;

If the Army and the Navy

Ever look on Heaven's scenes;

They will find the streets are guarded

By United States Marines.

Amen

 

[Niehart]

Thanks for sharing Axe. Know that isn't always easy ..

 

[juniorfjr]

I never met Jordan, and have yet to meet you in person, but I am proud to have known this of him, and you.

 

[k7lvo]

As I read these threads and watch this video, I feel the pain of losing a friend. Then I'm reminded that he wasn't my friend; I never even met him - and I'm only more sad! :cryingsmiley:

 

[TheAxeman]

Thank You for all the comments. Trying to cope with his loss has led me down many unusual roads and this is just one of them. A video is something I normally wouldn't do. About a month after he was killed I was sitting at my desk at work and started doodling on some paper. The following poem was the result of the doodling. (disclaimer) I am not a poet, I work in the trades. It just felt like something I needed to do at the time.

COMMON MAN

The sun has set on a dazzling life, a child no longer held.

A world grown cold, a lifeless form, a devil straight from hell.

The sun, the heat, the devil dog stare, conspire to defend.

No Evil passes, no honor spared, for many helpless men.

A steel eye look, a rifle raised, a warriors granite stance.

A trigger pull, a muzzle flash, an unseen smile advanced.

Destiny keeps on rolling, as hearts begin to pound.

Thunder peels and lightning strikes as two bodies hit the ground.

There is a place between heaven and hell where all true spirit lies.

Where souls exist in blissful rest, where sky's no longer cry.....

The child dies, a hero born, in blood soaked foreign lands.

Freedom forever given by the heart of a common man.

Christian Haerter

 

[Patriot]

Thank You for all the comments. Trying to cope with his loss has led me down many unusual roads and this is just one of them. A video is something I normally wouldn't do. About a month after he was killed I was sitting at my desk at work and started doodling on some paper. The following poem was the result of the doodling. (disclaimer) I am not a poet, I work in the trades. It just felt like something I needed to do at the time.
COMMON MAN

The sun has set on a dazzling life, a child no longer held.

A world grown cold, a lifeless form, a devil straight from hell.

The sun, the heat, the devil dog stare, conspire to defend.

No Evil passes, no honor spared, for many helpless men.

A steel eye look, a rifle raised, a warriors granite stance.

A trigger pull, a muzzle flash, an unseen smile advanced.

Destiny keeps on rolling, as hearts begin to pound.

Thunder peels and lightning strikes as two bodies hit the ground.

There is a place between heaven and hell where all true spirit lies.

Where souls exist in blissful rest, where sky's no longer cry.....

The child dies, a hero born, in blood soaked foreign lands.

Freedom forever given by the heart of a common man.

Christian Haerter

beautiful, just beautiful

wow, you ARE a poet, just don't know it (sorry)

not to minimize the heavy gravity of things at all

I can see myself experiencing the bursting out of thoughts needing expression from the creative right side of my brain caused by the loss of my child and needing coping mechanisms

please carry on Chris...

we all here pull for you and pray

the demons are kept at bay

Mike

 

[zip]

Christian,

Great presentation. I'm in media as a profession. Your piece was very, very nicely paced and edited. Super work. Such a blessing to have had so many wonderful photographs.

I have a 3-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter. I cannot fathom losing one of them - now or ever in the future. I'm profoundly moved by your situation your excellent poem. Your experience qualifies you better than any poet to write what you have, and did so well.

I've given a lot of thought to the following idea and will someday share this with my kids. It forms my appreciation of you and your late son:

Any real gentleman, any real man actively seeks opportunities for chivalry and generosity and heroism. In the natural course of life, these chances come very rarely, sometimes appear so subtly and vanish so quickly that most people miss them. Weaklings run from them and leave the hard work to others.

Some men, though, like Jordan, embrace those moments with power and courage and strength and selflessness. They are the difference-makers, the deciders, the real-world heroes.

And this is the reason that he's earned the Navy Cross, the appreciation of a nation, and my highest esteem and admiration.

Barry

 

[TheAxeman]

I've given a lot of thought to the following idea and will someday share this with my kids. It forms my appreciation of you and your late son:
Any real gentleman, any real man actively seeks opportunities for chivalry and generosity and heroism. In the natural course of life, these chances come very rarely, sometimes appear so subtly and vanish so quickly that most people miss them. Weaklings run from them and leave the hard work to others.

Some men, though, like Jordan, embrace those moments with power and courage and strength and selflessness. They are the difference-makers, the deciders, the real-world heroes.

And this is the reason that he's earned the Navy Cross, the appreciation of a nation, and my highest esteem and admiration.

Barry

Barry,

That is probably one of the nicest sentiments I have ever heard regarding Jordan and is an outstanding foundation on which to raise your children.....brought tears to my eyes. Thank You.

Chris

 

[cota95]

Christian,
Great presentation. I'm in media as a profession. Your piece was very, very nicely paced and edited. Super work. Such a blessing to have had so many wonderful photographs.

I have a 3-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter. I cannot fathom losing one of them - now or ever in the future. I'm profoundly moved by your situation your excellent poem. Your experience qualifies you better than any poet to write what you have, and did so well.

I've given a lot of thought to the following idea and will someday share this with my kids. It forms my appreciation of you and your late son:

Any real gentleman, any real man actively seeks opportunities for chivalry and generosity and heroism. In the natural course of life, these chances come very rarely, sometimes appear so subtly and vanish so quickly that most people miss them. Weaklings run from them and leave the hard work to others.

Some men, though, like Jordan, embrace those moments with power and courage and strength and selflessness. They are the difference-makers, the deciders, the real-world heroes.

And this is the reason that he's earned the Navy Cross, the appreciation of a nation, and my highest esteem and admiration.

Barry

WOW...well said.

 

[vabrzn]

An outstanding tribute for an outstanding solider who payed the ultimate price. Nicely done Dad.

+1

 

[wheatonFJR]

This is a memorial video that I did for my son Jordan. It was my first try at it. Its a good song so make sure you turn up the volume a little bit. A majority of the pictures I was able to recover off of his own camera, even the self portraits while he was driving through Ramadi. The last picture of him driving his Humvee into the Iraqi Police compound was taken 3 days prior to his death. His vehicle is facing the gate and the command post where the suicide bombers truck exploded and where he was ultimately killed.......................
Brothers In Arms

That video tribute is poignant...hits me square in the heart. The photos and music weave together a mood and emotion that makes me want to just sit down and shake my head and throw my hands up at the loss.

Thank You for all the comments. Trying to cope with his loss has led me down many unusual roads and this is just one of them. A video is something I normally wouldn't do. About a month after he was killed I was sitting at my desk at work and started doodling on some paper. The following poem was the result of the doodling. (disclaimer) I am not a poet, I work in the trades. It just felt like something I needed to do at the time.
COMMON MAN

The sun has set on a dazzling life, a child no longer held.

A world grown cold, a lifeless form, a devil straight from hell.

The sun, the heat, the devil dog stare, conspire to defend.

No Evil passes, no honor spared, for many helpless men.

A steel eye look, a rifle raised, a warriors granite stance.

A trigger pull, a muzzle flash, an unseen smile advanced.

Destiny keeps on rolling, as hearts begin to pound.

Thunder peels and lightning strikes as two bodies hit the ground.

There is a place between heaven and hell where all true spirit lies.

Where souls exist in blissful rest, where sky's no longer cry.....

The child dies, a hero born, in blood soaked foreign lands.

Freedom forever given by the heart of a common man.

Christian Haerter

Your son, his action, the loss and your reaction are well represented with your thoughts expressed here. This poem is a keeper.

I know I will come back many times to read it. Nothing resembling amateur about this...I wish I could express myself in poems like this...but the cost is more than I could bear.

Sorry for your loss, Christian. See you in May.

 

[cyclebabble]

A moving tribute. Thanks for sharing.

Chris

 

[Thug]

Beautiful, tender and appropriate...thanks Axe