IGTNT: An Empty Seat at the Table

I am happy to write that the Department of Defense reported no new caualties in December 22nd or 23rd. I look forward to the day when there will be no more IGTNT diaries and all our servicemembers are safely home. However, as we spend time with our families and friends today, please take a moment to remember the men and women who will never come home. Many families will always have an empty seat at the table during the holiday season. Take a minute to remember the children who will grow up without mom or dad, an aunt, an uncle, or a grandparent. Think of the parents have who received the terrible news that their son or dauther has died. This is the worst thing that can happen to a parent. Please hold these families in your thoughts and prayers. Their lives have been irrevocably changed.

3897 American service members have been killed since the start of the Iraq War in March of 2003. Another 28,711 Americans have been wounded, including many with grevious injuries to their brains and limbs. In Afghanistan 473 serivemembers have been killed.

As we celebrate the holidays, let us say a prayer for the Kossack family members who are serving abroad. Let us stop and remember all those who have sacrificed their lives for this country, not just in Iraq and Afghanistan, but in the Great War, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Let us pray that our political leaders can find the courage and the wisdom to bring all our service men and women home to their families.

I want to salute all the servicemembers who are serving our country at home and abroad, and I pray for peace in the new year.

This Christmas poem was written on the battlefield during the First World War. It points up the terrible contradiction between the Christmas message of peace and the reality of the battlefield.

A Christmas Prayer

by Cyril Winterbotham

Not yet for us may Christmas bring
Good-will to men, and peace;
In our dark sky no angels sing,
Not yet the great release
For men, when war shall cease.

So must the guns our carols make,
Our gifts must bullets be,
For us no Christmas bells shall wake;
These ruined homes shall see
No Christmas revelry.

In hardened hearts we fain would greet
The Babe at Christmas born,
But lo, He comes with pierced feet,
Wearing a crown of thorn,-
His side a spear has torn.

For tired eyes are all too dim,
Our hearts too full of pain,
Our ears too deaf to hear the hymn
Which angels sing in vain,
"The Christ is born again."

O Jesus, pitiful, draw near,
That even we may see
The Little Child who knew not fear;
Thus would we picture Thee
Unmarred by agony.

O'er death and pain triumphant yet
Bid Thou Thy harpers play,
That we may hear them, and forget
Sorrow and all dismay,
And welcome Thee to stay
With us on Christmas Day.

May the Lord grant the families of the fallen peace and solace at this time of year.

I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor service members who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one.

The series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, silvercedes, noweasels, MsWings, greenies, monkeybiz, chacounne, Wee Mama, twilight falling, moneysmith, labwitchy, joyful, roses, SisTwo, Avila, and me, blue jersey mom.

Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.