"Am I worth dying for"

Corporal Brendan Anthony Downey

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Corporal Downey during this difficult time,” a military statement said. “Our focus over the next number of days will be to provide the best possible support to the family of our airman and to his colleagues.”... Few other details were released, and Cpl. Downey's family sent a request through the military asking for privacy. (here)

Some time back, I wrote a piece on Tanker Bros.

In that piece, I posed the question that is the title of THIS piece. I heard of Cpl. Downey's passing just after I woke here, safe in my home in Canada. Feeling out of sorts - but not knowing why - as I did my usual ritual of "good morning" to bratdog and fumbling with the coffee pot.

And then, and then. In Afghanistan and in Saskatchewan, a family mourns the loss of a precious son.. So today, because my heart aches for the Downey family, I am directing you to my original post here. Please keep Cpl. Downey's family, and his brothers and sisters in arms in your prayers.

Soar through the heavens, Cpl Downey.

Eleanor Roosevelt's Wartime Prayer

"Dear Lord,

Lest I continue
My complacent way,
Help me to remember that somewhere,
Somehow out there
A man died for me today.
As long as there be war,
I then must
Ask and answer
Am I worth dying for?" (here)

It is said that Eleanor Roosevelt carried this around in her wallet. These words, (also attributed to W.H. Auden btw), were sent to me by Mary*Ann a while back. Since then I have carried these words in my heart. They have stayed with me, a part of me; and every day I have asked myself this question. I have, as I told Mary*Ann when we first talked about these words, also taken them to heart on a spiritual level, as I have pondered the scriptures which tell of the Son of God dying for us all. "Am I worth dying for?"

In this war, every day as I have worked within the Living Legends team at Soldiers' Angels, I have asked myself: Am I worth dying for? Every day, when a soldier in the sandbox writes - or calls - and tells me they have lost one, or two, or even more, of their brothers in arms, again I ask myself this question.

And as I have written posts on the fallen, and their families, again I ask myself: Am I worth dying for?

Today, more than most of these past days, as I have read more about Lt. Michael Murphy and watched the tape of the Pentagon where Lt. Murphy was recognised for his heroism, and given the Medal of Honor he so rightly deserved, the question: Am I worth dying for?

I know that our soldiers would tell me that they go to war, they are AT war right now, so that I might stay free. THEY think I am worth it. My father believed I, and all those he held dear, was worth it. We have seen our own Master Gunner post here of his commitment to our freedom, his reasons for serving. I have spoken to soldiers from America, Canada, England; to a man, they are dedicated to the cause of freedom, my freedom, our countries' freedom. And I am grateful. Grateful to each of them beyond measure....(go here to read the rest).