I also wanted to tell you about my son's service.

A man by the name of Bob Young attended.  He was a lifelong career Airborne man, having served in the 17th, 82nd and the 101st.  He served with my uncle Harry in World War II.  And I apologize for not knowing his rank at this time.

But Bob knew my little boy had the spirit of a trooper.  And as they filed out, he stopped and saluted him.

Also, only my son would have a national recording artist sing at his funeral.  All of my uncles played bluegrass as I was growing up.  They played before they went into the service, during and after.  My Uncle Sooner (Army Air Corp and Navy) was especially well known within the bluegrass circles.

In August, I had taken Jazz to a bluegrass festival where we sat in on the jam session.  We met the Corder family while we were there.  The Corders became good friends and had started a prayer circle for Jazz while he was in the hospital.

I had emailed them following his death, to ask if there were any players available for his funeral.  They got me in touch with a Mr. Johnny Vincent who lived in northern Missouri near where all of my family was from.

When I called him, I asked if he remembered my uncles and he said he remembered them well.  He said he would see what he could do about finding some players.

When I got to Missouri, I found out that he, his wife and his daughter, Rhonda Vincent were not only going to sing at Jazz's funeral, but did not want anything for doing so.  For those of you who do not know, Rhonda Vincent is one of the top female bluegrass players in the country.

Now I normally would not do this, but it is the least I can do for them for what they did for me and my family.  All of you should go out and pick up Rhonda's CD "All American Bluegrass Girl."  She has several songs on there dedicated to our service men and women.

And knowing that she and her family were so generous to help out a fellow Airborne family in their time of need should also encourage you.  Having them sing was like having all of my uncles sitting right beside my Dad who was having the worst time.  It was so comforting and uplifting...and a miracle in itself.

Jazz was buried like the little soldier he was.  The service was perfect.

And I know that to honor him, I have to stay low and keep moving forward...just as my uncle Harry told the Armory division that came upon him after he had been wounded at the Battle of the Bulge.

I will keep in touch more now.  And once again, I send my deepest love and gratitude to you all.

Marsha

Isaiah 40:28-31 (New International Version)
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.



ProudNiece 

In honor of Pvt. Harry E. Sears,

194th GIR, Co. B, 17th AB WW2  Purple Heart Recipient CIB

And of my son, Jazz Edwin Sears (March 5, 1996 - Dec. 19, 2006)

who was all that a trooper should be...

I met a soldier, on the base at Fort Hood.
I said, 'how do you do it?'
He said, 'there's bad with the good.'
And no matter how tough it gets,
The soldier stands strong.
Keeping our family, flag and country free,
And righting the wrong.

I met a soldier, she was thanking me.
At first it was strange to hear,
Then I started to see.
What it meant to have someone
Appreciate her sacrifice,
And everything she gives for us,
Defending our rights.

God bless the soldier
As they walk the streets.
Let them know how much it means
To have them keep our country free.

When you meet a soldier, stand and salute.
Take a moment to show your love
for everything that they do.
Don't be afraid, give them your praise.
For this is the stranger that is willing
To give their life for you.

God bless the soldier."

and little Jazz!

Steve

"Let's Go Downtown" - Flight of the Intruder
 

http://www.327infantry.org/second/c_co 

Same Mud Same Blood - NBC documentary filmed 1967 RVN, chronicle Frank McGee

Well, the reality begins to set in after the battle, huh?

I was talking with my dad last night and we both thought that maybe the rush of memories we have and the physical feeling that goes along with it must be similar to what many of you may have gone through in battle.  Seeing Jazzy in the hospital the way we did was pretty horrific, yet it was just what we had to do.  We did not think about it...we just did it.

And now...well, there are good days and then there are bad days.  The memories of his last moments keep flashing back as well as the memories of him during his life.

But I know he is in a much better place now and I know he is now perfect.  And having him buried in the manner he was was so comforting....he really was a soldier! 

He always demanded that everyone stand up and take their hats off when that flag went by...and he always sang the national anthem as loud as he possibly could!  And he always wanted to talk to soldiers he saw at the grocery store or anywhere!

I just know he could never have had the happy life he had if it were not for all of you and I am forever grateful and indebted to you all.  You were the example I had to raise my boy in the right way...

Angels like Jazz really were only meant to be here for a short time...and those of us who were blessed enough to know his spirit were the lucky ones.  I just hope that by my posting here that those of you who did not know him might get to a little bit...because he never gave up, he never got down...he loved his country and his mom FIERCELY!

And that came from all of you...and from his Airborne uncle!

If you have words of advice on how to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder....I know I could use them and I am sure there are others out there that could use them to.

Thank you all again for your support through this!

Marsha


ProudNiece 

In honor of Pvt. Harry E. Sears,

194th GIR, Co. B, 17th AB WW2  Purple Heart Recipient CIB

And of my son, Jazz Edwin Sears (March 5, 1996 - Dec. 19, 2006)

who was all that a trooper should be...

Just take one day at a time.  You have been through a lot.  Just hold onto all the good, fun and loving memories you have of Jazz.  Live your life like he lived his.  Remember, he left here for a reason.  God needed a champoin and a patriot by his side and he chose Jazz. 

Have you thought about planting a tree in honor of him?  I know we do that here so that you always have something to look at, watch it grow and know his love is doing that.

"Hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and women are deployed across the world in the war on terror. By bringing hope to the oppressed, and delivering justice to the violent, they are making America more secure. "
George W. Bush

The Muddys!!!