A Sad Anniversary

[extrememarine]

Christian, we are with you.

Jordan's actions that day have been forever etched in the Granite that is the Marine Corps history, it's heritage, it's legacy. We will never forget. We will carry the fight because of him, and for him, and he will be with us.

Semper Fidelis

Wayne

 

[happyPuppy]

What a great young man. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[Patriot]

A cyberfriend of mine died two weeks ago...a Marine Officer (Major) who did his duty as best he could. His son, an Army Major at the time, died in his thirtys, the victim of crime. I believe he found comfort in my remembering Nov 10th every year, the Corp's birthday and in Feb, his son's birthday. I let it slide the anniversary of his son's death.

When 2010 rang in, I wanted to remember Jordan privately and marked his date of death on my calendar. I considered sending a PM, Chris, offering my condolences and prayers on that most difficult day. I don't believe I noted Jordon's birthday, but I guess I could have found it in the web sights and information you have allowed posted about Jordan.

I remember my tears when flashes of Jordan as I "know" him went from British Redcoat, to Boot Camp grad, to the image of a Navy Cross. I love that avatar pic of Jordan in transport as a modern warrior, but with a wry smile.

Thanx for sharing him with us...it is always welcome...and we feel it an honor and a privilege to accept such sacredness.

Semper Fi

Mike

P.S. It is a mission of mine to figure out a way and time to come visit...my friend and his son are buried in a Veterans Cemetery in New Jersey. I close friend now lives in PA and works in DE. Good excuses for me to head to New England.

 

[Rogue]

This tore me up in 08', it hit me hard in 09' and it's no better in 10'.

The hardest thing any parent can do is to bury a child.

Jordan died making the USA a safer country and the planet a safer place.

Every day I thank Jordan and all the other HEROs that have helped create this country for the last 234 years.

Thank you for raising him!

 

[Silver Penguin]

How I wish that I had something wise, witty or comforting to say. Words fail me right now as I think what this young man (and his family) gave to this country.

Thank you Jordan. May you rest in peace, secure in the knowledge that your great sacrifice is appreciated and will not be forgotten.

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

Thoughts and comforting prayers for you and your family and the memory of your son, an American Hero among many.

 

[flyball]

Thanks for sharing. I too have no words that can convey how sorry I am for your loss and how much your sacrifice means to me as an American. What incredible people these are that give up their tomorrows so the rest of us can live ours out as we wish.

 

[PlaynGuitar]

Chris;

Words can't address this adequately -- my heart goes out you. Sitting here at work reading your post I'm fighting back tears as I think about the incredible gift Jordan was to his family, his unit, this country, and to each of us who have had the benefit of reflecting on his selfless sacrifice. The testimony of the Corporal underscores how significant and how truly heroic Jordan's actions were. All of those things are true and will never be diminished because of his integrity. He exemplified honor, courage, and commitment.

But, I know as a father -- there is something unique in that relationship with a son. To share that weekend must have been wonderful. To not have him around now must be a pain that I can't even begin to wrap my mind around. A collective hug from all of us to you sir. I wish we could do even a little to bring reassurance and comfort. Thank you for being a remarkable example of the loving, proud, albeit grieving father to all of us.

grace and peace...

Patrick

 

[dcarver]

Chris, my heart bleeds for you and your family.

 

[OK Red]

My son is in the Corps stationed with the 3rd FAST Company. He went thru boot a year ago, and he learned there about the bravery of LCpl Haerter and Cpl Yale. Axe, your son has become part of the lore of the Marine Corps, his story to be passed from generation to generation.

I was a Navy Diver; we don't have a motto like 'Semperi Fi'. All I can say is this... Hoo-F*#cking-YAH, LCpl Haerter.

NDC Carl Kuester, USN (Ret)

PS - In celebration of LCpl Haerter's life, and choosen occupation, I am sharing some USMC quotes that I dug up. They won't take away the sting of his loss, but may help bring a smile and a bit of pride in your sons choice of service.

The United States Marine Corps, with it fiercely proud tradition of excellence in combat, its hallowed rituals, and its unbending code of honor, is part of the fabric of American myth. [Thomas E. Ricks; Making the Corps, 1997]

"They're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us...They won't get away from us this time!" - USMC Gen "Chesty" Puller

"I come in peace, I didn't bring artillery. But I am pleading with you with tears in my eyes: If you **** with me, I'll kill you all." -Marine General James Mattis, to Iraqi tribal leaders

The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of Marines. Lord, how they could fight! [MGen. Frank E. Lowe, US Army; Korea, 26 January 1952]

Marines know how to use their bayonets. Army bayonets may as well be paper-weights. [Navy Times; November 1994]

Why in hell can't the Army do it if the Marines can? They are the same kind of men; why can't they be like Marines? [Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, US Army; 12 February 1918]

The raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next five hundred years. [James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy; 23 February 1945

I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world! [Gen. Douglas MacArthur, US Army; Korea, 21 September 1950]

We have two companies of Marines running rampant all over the northern half of this island, and three Army regiments pinned down in the southwestern corner, doing nothing. What the hell is going on? [Gen. John W. Vessey Jr., US Army, Chairman of the the Joint Chiefs of Staff; during the assault on Grenada, 1983]

Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem. [Ronald Reagan, U.S. President; 1985]

Marines I see as two breeds, Rottweilers or Dobermans, because Marines come in two varieties, big and mean, or skinny and mean. They're aggressive on the attack and tenacious on defense. They've got really short hair and they always go for the throat. [RAdm. "Jay" R. Stark, USN; 10 November 1995]

They told (us) to open up the Embassy, or "we'll blow you away." And then they looked up and saw the Marines on the roof with these really big guns, and they said in Somali, "Igaralli ahow," which means "Excuse me, I didn't mean it, my mistake." [Karen Aquilar, in the U.S. Embassy; Mogadishu, Somalia, 1991]

 

[rogdeb]

Wishing you peace and the knowledge that he travels with you every day in your heart. Thank you for sharing him with us... sounds like one helluva human being.

Plus 2 more --- couldn't have been better said Tyler.

Rog n Debs

 

[Bounce]

There's nothing I can say as a rider, individual, parent, or person that can "make it all better".

Just know that I wish there was, that your son's sacrifice to save others in his unit was special, and that perhaps, one day, such sacrifices will be only read about in history books.

 

[johnny80s]