A Memorial Video For Jordan

[RiderCoach Lar]

Great video tribute.....and an awesome poem!

 

[k7lvo]

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

Every time I read it, this line just jumps out at me. What a powerful picture you've painted with words!

 

[Checkswrecks]

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

Too stunned for words.

 

[EXPDSGT]

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

Christian, I am so sorry for your loss. I can not imagine your pain. Your wonderful poem is obvously from the heart - you had "help" in writing it. Your great vidio was a sterling tribute to him. War is terrible and this reminds us that "Freedom is not Free". You hang in there. The Navy Cross and the appreciation of America is very appropriate and you both have my upmost admiration. I only wish I could do something more----

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

Chris,

Again, you have left many speechless. . . . there are absolutely no words to describe the love, the hurt, the pain, the pride that you so eloquently endear to us. Through Jordan, you will find things in yourself, strengths you never knew you had. Of this, I am convinced, my friend. Jordan's light is in your heart, and you let the beaming rays out to all of us through the sharing of the memories of your lost son. How incredibly hard it must be at times, but also so rewarding to be able to say, "That was my son". There is nothing common about Jordan, or yourself, Chris. It is this selfless, unassuming approach to life that make both you and Jordan "uncommon". God bless you, Chris, and God bless Jordan . . .

CJ

 

[Slowshifter]

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

Chris,

While a member of the forum I seldom write as I have retired and am living in Europe. Your tremendously powerful video , poem, and the kind words from the other members of the forum prompted me to log in and just leave the following:

Having served 23 years with the US Army, I have felt pain and dispair, I have felt hate and seen carnage beyond ones most imaginable dreams. I have been honored to be a leader of both men and women and attended some of the best leadership courses and schools and academy's the military has to offer. I have been promoted into the top ranks of the US military, awarded medals and numerous commendations. I would give it all back to be able to see you hug your young son coming home from a conflict. I'd give it all back to see your wife, his mother, hold her young 19 year old child as he says "I love you mom". I'd give it all back if I could have known it could have saved a true hero, your son Jordan. Your son deserves the right to be here with us today, to be honored not only by America, but the entire world and not to have been taken away by some cowardly act of hate and aggression. Jordon should be here to to let us all know and understand what he stood for as an American, as a Marine, his dignity, his heartfelt thoughts expressed, and his smile casting hope on the non-believers. God chose Jordon that solemn day, to make a choice, a choice so that others could live, a choice to make his father proud, a choice to make America proud, and a choice for me, a no one, an unknown, take notice of a young Marine, and a proud father, who I would have most likely never known. I can't express the heartfelt grief I too bear in the loss of a fellow soldier, a proud Marine. My family and I pass our humble condolences to you and your family and are forever grateful for your son's contribution to America. Jordon was awarded a medal for valor, this is a great honor and I know you are proud. I want you to know he will always be a true hero, a Marine and a beloved American. Mack, US Army, Retired - Mainz, Germany