Vetran's Day

Ella's school invited us to submit pictures of family members or friends that are or have previously been servicemen/women for our country.  We wanted to participate and sent a picture of her uncle Devin and cousin David as well as a friend Vernon Richmond.  We have lots more people we could have sumit like grandpas and other cousins, but it was pretty last minute so we went with this.

As I was searching google for a picture of Devin I found this article which actually we got to see on TV while we were living in Logan and KSL was our news channel.  It felt like the first time I had read it again though as tears freely flowed.

 

Idaho Soldier Heads for Iraq, Despite Family Illness

November 14th, 2004 @ 4:31pm

John Hollenhorst reporting For every soldier in Iraq, many sacrifices have been made. But it's an especially poignant sacrifice for a Sergeant who left Utah today, headed for war. Devin Braithwaite would almost certainly have been excused from going to Iraq because of family hardship. If he'd asked. But he didn't ask. He's the father of four boys and a girl. His wife had a liver transplant last year and still has a serious liver disease. His 13-year old daughter is living at the Ronald McDonald House while being treated for a brain tumor. It returned four years after Ashley first had surgery. Sergeant Braithwaite says his Idaho Falls community has always rallied behind his family in times of trouble. And now it's time to return their sacrifice. SSgt. J. Devin Braithwaite/ Idaho National Guard: "People have always been there to help me. And I really want to have a chance to serve and help. I want to serve my country and I want to serve the people in Iraq." He had a last hug with his daughter and the rest of the family in Salt Lake this morning. Then he boarded a plane to rejoin his Idaho National Guard unit headed for Iraq. Johnna Braithwaite/ Idaho Falls: "It's sad. It's sad to see anybody have to go off to war. But it's a good thing for our country. If we didn't have good people like him, where would we be?" Ashley Braithwaite/ Cancer Victim: "It's hard. But, like, you kind of get used to it."
Ashley is currently undergoing radiation therapy because her tumor is inoperable. Sgt. Braithwaite's unit is expected to be in Iraq by Christmas.

 

Without question this is an amazing family.  What a blessing it was to watch his dedication as he left for service.  He found me that picture above and also this picture of when he was younger in Desert Storm.

 

This is his son David who is now serving in Italy as a First Class Airman.  So glad we could honor them on that special day.  I actually felt guilty for not doing more of that throughout the year.    Their sacrifice is great.

 

When we told uncle Devin about the slide show he decided he wanted to come have a "date" with Ella.  He came to her assembly and stood in the back with her all dressed in his uniform.    They showed multiple video clips of Vetrans, kids from her school telling what a Hero is and then the 6th graders sang a song about Heros while the slideshow of the men/women we know was shown.  I felt such gratitude to the brave men and women who faithfully serve or have served our country.

 

 

It didn't take too much convincing to have Devin come to her classroom to talk to the students about freedom and America.  All the students had written a letter to a Vetran and one of the little students came to the front of the classroom and with the microphone read her letter.  So precious!