Posted by Melinda Hefner on November 9, 2011, 10:18 am
While I no longer have time to actively participate on the message board, I think of you all literally daily. As Veterans' Day approaches, my thoughts of each of you are more frequent. I'm so grateful for all that you have done for our country. We can never repay you for your sacrifices.
I also want to share some news. Our nephew, Staff Sergeant Thomas "TJ" Dudley was killed in action on July 7, 2011, while serving as a United States Marine in Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom. He was on his 6th deployment and was scheduled to come home two weeks from the time he was killed. He leaves behind a wife, and 3 children. While our family is heartbroken, especially for Mary and the children, we are uplifted by the outpouring of support for our fallen Marine. As most of our fallen heroes are, he was an amazing young man. He was a volunteer fire fighter. He was an absolutely wonderful husband and father. You all would have liked TJ. He was your kind of guy.
Another video I'd like to share shows images of TJ's homecoming from Dover Air Force Base, funeral, and burial. The outpouring of support was amazing. One of our other nephews made this video which will explain the music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKzVbBgVDwQ&feature=BFa&list=PLAE1CB65323B33F9E&lf=plpp_video I think your heart will be warmed knowing that love of country and support of our troops are alive and well among so many as you will see in the video.
For our family...for so many families...this Veterans' Day is more important than ever.
Please know how deeply grateful I am for each of you...for your service to our country, and, Ron, for your keeping this historical web site going. I honestly don't have the words to express my gratitude or my affection for each of you.
Dear Melinda, I just watched the video's, and I sit here with tears in my eyes. Such a handsome young man. Such a beautiful wife and family. There are just no word's I could say to ease the hurt and loss you feel. I pray that God is giving all of you the peace that passes all understanding. Please let the rest of your family know that as the Holiday's approaches, I will be thinking of you..Again, May God Bless
My Dear Melinda, My deepest sympathy for the loss of your Nephew "TJ". My heart is hurting with you. Please know that your family will be in my prayer's. The one thing I know is that our HERO"S never die, we will forever keep them alive in our heart's and memories.Please know that I am here if you ever need someone to talk to...Just send me your phone number and I will call..Again please know you are in my thought's.
Hello Melinda. Glad to have you on board for a brief visit...however, the message you brought was not good. We are all so sorry to hear of the sacrifice SGT Dudley made for all of us. The fact is that hundreds of thousands of young (and not so young), like him, also have served with their lives and limbs. May God be with him and all the rest. It brings back sad memories from long ago. Roy Brown
Melinda: We whose experience of war goes back to an earlier time grieve with you over the loss of your nephew Sgt. Dudley. War is inexpressibly cruel. Some think it's necessary to keep the population from getting altogether out of control, others that it's a kind of test for the young men -- women too, now -- of every generation. However one defines it, it kills us indiscriminately, and it seems to be a part of the human condition. I wish it were otherwise.
Melinda I am very sorry to hear the sad news. I will say a special prayer for him and his family. As for the videos they are great. May GOD bless you and your fanily. Harvel