One Marines Life and Death

[TheAxeman]

November 2006

Former Marines...Remember the Crucible?

December 2006

Iraq War Statistics (CLOSED)

February 2007

The inevitable news I didn't want to hear....

October 2007

Mojave Viper Marine Training...A Different Kind of California

March 2008

When Your Child Goes To War.....

April 2008

A Letter To My Son....

May 2008

A Memorial For Jordan

July 2008

A Bridge Renamed in Honor of My Son

November 2008

The Navy Cross

January 2009

"Someone You Should Know" Audio Clip

February 20, 2009

Six Seconds of Valor

February 2009

Presidential Address

 

[Bike Effects]

I hope you are doing well. I think of you and your son often.

 

[TriggerT]

Axe, I don't know you, we have never met, but I also think of you and Jordon on a regular basis. It often happens when I look at my 3 year old son, and have the internal struggle as to whether I would want him to be a soldier or not.

Another member put it perfectly: "You must be proud in a way no parent ever wants to be."

 

[08FJR4ME]

Hey Chris,

I just read the threads about you and you son. It brings back memories of my son's graduation day at Parris Island also. It had to be one of the proudest days of his life and mine. They sure do stand tall. I will never forget the service of our sons and what they have done for this country. They make us proud in ways that many people in this world just don't understand.

God bless and take care.

See ya soon.

 

[jwilly]

Thanks for linking all of those together Chris. I would have loved to have met Jordan, especially because the apple doesn't fall from the tree.

Semper Fi

JW

 

[6mmbr]

I always pause and look at your avatar; it is the most memorable on the forum.

I read your signature line, and always hear Abraham Lincoln...

"...I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom."

 

[BrunDog]

Axe,

I will never forget the "A letter to my son" thread, as it is absolutely the most profound, powerful, and haunting post I have ever read on this or any forum. I remember having to walk away from the computer because of the shock I felt, and could barely fathom that which you did. I remembered your prior posts about your pride and fears of Jordan going to Iraq - it just couldn't seem possible that it turned out this way.

In my opinion, you have been handed the greatest of life's injustices - to outlive your son. As a father of two young boys, I simply cannot imagine how I would handle losing either.

I pray that you can find peace in some way, some day. Your son died tragically and unselfishly defending our country - and in that, we are eternally grateful. Please keep sharing Jordan's life with us. At least then, we can continue to honor him as he so absolutely deserves.

-BD

 

[OhioFJR1300]

I always pause and look at your avatar; it is the most memorable on the forum.

I read your signature line, and always hear Abraham Lincoln...

"...I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom."

+1 Mr Lincoln put it as well as it can be said. I have 3 adult children and I think of you and your son whenever I think of my daughter and 2 sons.

 

[Inlaw1]

Because I have been a very infrequent visitor of this board the past few months I had missed this news, and want to thank you for posting this up. More importantly to thank you for raising an obviously outstanding American.

Our thoughts and prayers to you and family in an inconsolable time. I wish there were words to express how I feel right now. The best I have is what has already been expressed here: "You must be proud in a way no parent ever wants to be."

 

[weekend rider]

Axe: Your son will always be remembered, and and I think it is safe to say never forgotten by all the members on this forum.

My son was stationed at Mojave as his last duty station before he got out of the Marines in 2004. He was an instructor there training young soldiers and preparing them for overseas deployment in Iraq. I am curious what is the viper training? weekende rider

 

[vabrzn]

Thanks for linking all of those together Chris. I would have loved to have met Jordan, especially because the apple doesn't fall from the tree.
Semper Fi

JW

+1

 

[TheAxeman]

I am curious what is the viper training? weekende rider

Here is a pretty good description of Mojave Viper Training

Thank you all for your kind comments. I've never seen that Lincoln quote but will now never forget it.

 

[Capt. Bob]

Thank you all for your kind comments. I've never seen that Lincoln quote but will now never forget it.

As a parent whose son did return from Iraq,

you and your family have my highest respect.

Good luck and God speed.

Here is a link to the Lincoln letter.Click

 

[Scab]

I think of you and Jordan often. Mostly, when I am doing something simple, or what some might consider mundane. My life is a culmination of choices. They are often not brilliant choices, or even exciting choices. But they are mine. I am what I am because I chose.

It is terribly hard to put into words what is really a feeling or understanding. Because I do understand why I am afforded the luxury of choice.

...I had a lot or words typed that I just erased. Sometimes my words fail me. Some things are perhaps better conveyed eye to eye, face to face. I will look forward to our meeting again. I think I finally understand what my father told me nearly 30 years ago.

 

[NoCage]

Axe, like a lot of others, I think of Jordan from time to time. What's odd is that it's usually during one of those pauses during a ride, or sitting on the deck just being thankful for what I have. You know, those times when you simply stop and take in everything around you. The feeling is always a combination of guilt and gratitude. Guilt from his ultimate sacrifice and the loss of your son and best friend; gratitude in knowing that it is exactly people like Jordan that allow me to enjoy those "moments" in life. I'll never forget.

 

[Tenchi]

Gotta admit Axe, when I was following those two Marines down the mountain from Sunrise it was you I had in mind.

 

[teerex51]

Chris, I read all your posts about Jordan joining the USMC when they started appearing here. Like everybody else I was deeply shocked by the news of your son's death and touched by the account and pictures of his memorial service stateside. I frankly thought it couldn't get any sadder.

I was wrong. This timeline you compiled is the stark resume of a young man's brief military career as seen from a parent's wary eyes. I find it absolutely heartbreaking and I'm at a loss for words.

It took a lot of inner strength for you to go through all this again and I respect you for it. I hope someday I'll get to shake your hand.

Stef

 

[TheAxeman]

A fitting time for a bump.

 

[TheAxeman]

This is an audio clip from a radio show out of Boston that aired yesterday. It is basically a reading of an article written by Tony Perry in the LA Times a few weeks ago. Just scroll down a little bit and press the play button on the audio bar.

Someone You Should Know