Cathi: I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are prayers are with you.

Meili

I too am at a loss finding the right words to bring comfort. I am weeping for the terrible loss for you and your family. I will be going to FT Drum in March to visit my son Michael. Please email or PM me if there is anything that I can do to help your Daughter in Law. I would be honored to do so.  I admire your strength and eloquence at this very sad time.

Diane 

 Cathi,

 Bless you for putting on your courage wings and sharing your news.

May your heart feel the warmth of your AS family and friends and it bring you comfort.

Your son was living his dream and that is huge,  love for his family and his country.

He was our HERO and so are you and your entire family.

Our prayers are with you.

Joy

Cathi,

As so many others have said, there just are not enough words...my family and I are so, SO profoundly sorry for your loss and will be holding you all close in thought, in heart and in prayer...

Cathi,

I cannot imagine the anguish you are feeling, but want you to know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.  I am so sorry.

Kate

Dear Cathi,

I read your post on the first day you posted it but could not think of anything to say that I thought would help.  But you have been on my mind ever since and now I want to tell you that if you need help dealing with your grief, please try writing letters to your son.  Sometimes we feel like we never got a chance to say good-bye and let our loved one know what he meant to us.  Writing a letter or several letters helps to express these feelings.  Or instead of writing, talk to your son.  If your grief prevents you from functioning, please seek professional grief counseling or support groups.  I have not lost a son in a war, I can only imagine your pain and the pain of your daughter-in-law and grandchildren, but I have lost a loved one and these suggestions I have given you helped me through that very sad time.  I also believe we unite with our loved ones in heaven after we die and that has been a comfort as well.

God bless you, Cathi.  Your AS family and friends are thinking of you and praying for you and for the peaceful repose of your son's soul.  May he rest in peace.

With greatest respect for your son's sacrifice and with deepest sympathy for all his family,

Lilly 

my deepest and heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

To your son I say thank you for serving our country,and  I make this promise to him and to his family, that I will never, ever, take my freedoms for granted ever again. The price paid in blood sweat and tears is so very high and should never be taken for granted.

Keeping you in my prayers.... 

Dear Cathi,

I cried as I read your post, but I didn't write to you right away because I could think of no words that could help. Since then I have been thinking of you and praying for you and your family. So I wanted to write to let you know that you have my heartfelt sympathy. I wish I did have words to console you, but all I know to say is that I am sorry, and I appreciate your son's service to our country.  God bless you and your family,

Kathy

Cathi,

I could not stop thinking about you and your family today.  You are part of our AS family, and I know that there are many people out there grieving with you.  Words cannot begin to say how sorry I am for your loss.  Please know that I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

God Bless You and Keep you close to Him!

Love and many Hugs from Maryland,

Dawn

I sit here in tears reading all these kind messages of support and love for my son and our family.  So many people who don't even know me but care...and then I thought "this must be the overwhelming feeling that our contacts feel when we strangers (junkies) shower them with love and support"

Rest assured that every reporter and tv interviewer who has come to our house has been told about AS and given a card.  Today  Matthew was honored by front-page articles and picture in two newspapers and the local news.  They even printed the AS card in our hometown article so I'm hoping it will generate more support.

I had asked if anyone knew about a combination blue and gold star banner. A woman who saw the news called the National Gold Star Mothers group and told them about me and she is sending a banner with both stars.

Cathi,

It is great to hear that you have a new banner coming.  I can barely remember when I was hardly larger than a toddler when my grandmother had a world map with some kind of pins on it to follow the movement of her 3 sons that were in Europe and Africa in WWII, my dad's brothers, but she was blessed to see all of them alive until her death.  We wish your family strength to go through the closure you will have to face.

Gran

May God hold you and your family as you handle your incredible loss.
Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers.
Carol

 Cathi, you don't know me as I am very new to AS, but I cannot express my sadness over the loss of your son. Tears stream down as I read this thread. I am so sorry. You, your family and his unit are in my thoughts and prayers.

Cathi,

You and your family continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. I think it's incredible that even in the midst of your sadness, you are still working to get the word out about AnySoldier. You are amazing! And, I'm glad someone is sending you a new Service Flag.

I've seen some of the articles and clips online about your son, and I am so grateful for his service and very touched by how much he loved our country.

Still praying for you in Minnesota,

Jenifer 

Please accept my condolences for your loss.  Your son must have been a brave man and he will not be forgotten. I'm amazed that you were able to express sympathy for those who had to break the news to you.