Today, I was stopped at the main post office in Madison, WI.  A woman came up to my car and knocked on my window.  Startled me half out of my wits - BUT - This is the AMAZING PART - she is the sister of a former AnySoldier.com contact.  I have two of the big "I Support AnySoldier.com" yellow Ribbon magnets on the back of my SUV.  She came up to tell me how much our support meant to her brother and the other members of his group.  His name was CW2 Joshua M. Scott.  I found him under "Old Contacts".  He was only on the list for a couple of posts and then dropped on April 26, 2005.  Exactly one month to the day later, his helicopter was shot down over Balad.  He and his co-pilot, Matt Lourey were both killed.  CW2 Scott left behind a 2-yr-old daughter and an almost 1-year-old infant son.  He had only been home for the first month of his son's life.  After he was killed Missy said that the family, his wife, parents and siblings received literally hundreds of cards and letters of sympathy and love from the supporters of AnySoldier.com.  She said the words that were written were so comforting.  Especially since none of the family expected to hear anything from us. 

 Last weekend, the family went to Fort Campbell, KY where there was a dedication of something (I'm sorry I didn't write down what) in her brother's name and that of his co-pilot.  She said the speaker was awesome.  But didn't know if the speaker was from AnySoldier or PGR.  I'm checking the PGR sites to see if I can find out anything about a mission for the fallen hero. 

Anyway - what an Amazing Day.  We exchanged e-mail addresses and she is going to send me a picture of Joshua standing at a monument in Washington DC that says, "Freedom Isn't Free".  I will send it to Marty to see if he wants to post it.  Imagine - meeting a family member like that - out of the blue.  She wants everyone to know that the family is so grateful to all of you for your kind words and the support you gave her brother and his friends while he was deployed.  His unit came home 2 months after he was killed in action.   

Just wanted to let you all know that indeed we DO make a very big difference in the lives of the soldiers and, obviously, their families as well.  Thank you AnySoldier supporters.  Thank you to the Horn family for making all this happen.

Mary 

Mary, all I can say is: WOW.
 

Hi Mary,

As I look back on my life, I firmly believe that things happen for a reason.  God works in very mysterious ways.  I know that when you lose a close member of your family (especially a sibling), you still want people to know what they were like and that their life had a purpose.  You want people to remember them.  You want to honor their memory.

How unbelievable that you two met, I don't think just out of the blue.  I think Joshua played a big hand in your meeting.  Both for you and for his sister.  I know his sister will tell his widow and hopefully she will be comforted from your encounter.  His children will grow up to learn what a brave and wonderful daddy he was.  They will be able to checkout AnySoldier.com and see the words their daddy wrote.  What a gift!

And you got a sign too that taking nursing classes again was the right thing to do.  You are a truly, beautiful, strong woman.  I thank you for sharing your story with everyone on this forum.  God Bless You and Joshua's family.

Love, the other Mary

Great story, and definitely an amazing encounter! How exciting! Thanks for sharing.

Susie :) 

WOW, Mary.... just WOW!  That really is a beautiful story, inspiring even in it's sadness.  I'm so happy for you to have had the chance to speak with her and learn so much about their experience-it's a blessing for all of us, really.  {{{hugs}}}

 Wow, Mary, another wonderful post by you.  That is so neat that you met someone who's family was affected by the "Junkies" and AnySoldier.com.  I'm sorry about the loss of CW2 Scott and his friend.  I pray his kids will know how loved he was by complete strangers, and that he was a hero to many.       Thank you for posting. 

Thank you so much for posting.

Mary ~ that was a beautiful and "goosebumps"  amazing story.  Thank you for sharing it with us.  I'm not very good at getting cards and letters out ~ however, now I will certainly think of this event and try much harder...

Ditto on the WoW

a true example of a higher intervention

thanks for sharing!!

Mary.......As everyone has just said "WOW"!!!!!     with your story about meeting the family member.    

And I can't agree more with Mimi..........we all have a purpose in life.   And I truly believe we are where we need to be at a particular time.  And look at that instance of fate!!!!    If you were delayed for any reason.......for even just a minute......you would not have encountered his sister.    True intervention.   And what a blessing.   I know it gave me goosebumps too (or as a junkie once said) GODBUMPS!!! and some tears in my eyes too.

Hope you are well Mary and think of you often.

Blessings to everyone for all you do..................love and peace.....................Anne Marie