Below is an email I just received from my neighbor next door to me. My neighbor is an active SEAL member. From this tragedy, they lost five of their good friends and one that was in their wedding . It would speak volumes if the members of the s197forum came thru for these families. If you would like to make a donation please follow the instructions at the bottom. Another idea I have is to hand them checks with "From the s197forum members" .If you think thats a great idea I can PM you my address and get the checks to them.
Thanks
Ray
To our dearest family and friends,
This past weekend, my husband and the entire Naval Special Warfare suffered the greatest loss of life in a single day since WWII. Over twenty SEALs were killed when a helicopter was reportedly shot down by Taliban fire in Afghanistan on Friday. President Obama described the losses of these Americans as such: "Their deaths are a reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by the men and women of our military and their families, including all who have served in Afghanistan."
We are Americans and as such, we are a passionate people born with both a benevolent hand extended and a fighting fist, when necessary. We openly welcome our brethren and those who wish to live free in a democratic, law abiding society; one where men may govern themselves. Likewise, we push against and reject those who would enslave us to the fears of terrorism, to the encasement of totalitarianism and the crippling chains that the fear of a lawless and brutal society could clamp on us. These brave Americans were pushing against those who would harm their own. They were fighting not only for America and Her ideals, principles, and values, but they were fighting simply for their families and brothers. They were fighting for their wives and children to live in a land free of terrorism and those who would do us harm. They were fighting for their brother sitting next to them.
Tales of their bravery, physical prowess, and extraordinary skill sets will be told time and time again. They will inspire, enrage and humble the hearts of this great Nation. They were great, brave men, but do not forget that they were men. They were sons, brothers, husbands and fathers. A description of "extraordinary," is accurate. They were. Still, these extraordinary men loved, hurt, and laughed with the rest of us. Their humanity connects us all. The images that their loved ones will remember time and time again will not be those of them fast roping out of a helo. Rather, the images that will bring both joy and agony in their minds are those of a gentle smile, a goofy laugh, a knowing look. They will hold on to these dear, precious, intimate memories to which all Americans may relate. These were Americans hoping what we all hope; that their families will be able to live the best life possible; that opportunity would abound. They loved their wives, their parents, siblings, friends and children. Their mortality was a point never lost on those who loved them. They lived with it each and every day. The gentle reminder of our mortality can be both beautiful and terrifying, but ultimately can be a gift. Our SEALs, the best trained, most fit, best equipped, the best of the best. Not your average man, but still a man. At the end of the day or returning from a trip, where, undoubtedly, they performed tasks straight out of an action film, they walked through doors into safe havens where they were known simply as "friend," "son," "daddy," "brother," and "husband." The beauty, the gift, in the way many live in this military community, is in the always present perspective we all receive; that life is fleeting, that tomorrow is not a "given." Time, precious time, is coveted and lived fully. What a gift and what heartache.
I beg of you: Honor these men. Honor these families. Young wives became widows. Young children became fatherless, 37 to be exact. Parents were unnaturally preceded in death by their adult children. No parent should ever bury their child. As we were all tragically reminded, "Freedom is not Free." Honor these people by putting politics aside. These were Americans who believed in you. These were Americans who believed in your freedom to choose even if that meant a path different from their own. These brave and admirable Americans volunteered to put themselves in harm's way time and time again, to be separated from their family for great lengths of time, to sacrifice for something bigger than self. And for this, we are all united in our loss. May we all unite in support for our military, those fallen and their survivors. Weep and grieve for these families and this unfathomable loss to our nation.
It is an honor to know these men. It is an honor to know these families. It is beyond amazing and comforting to know that these people are here and that they are our fellow countrymen and neighbors. We reap in the bounty of their sacrifice. As we live in relative peace and comfort, as we tuck our children in bed at night and kiss our family members, we harvest their sacrifice. They have sowed our freedom and comparable ease of life with their fight and their lives.
So this is what I am asking from you, simply and directly, donate to the Navy SEAL Foundation. This foundation supports the families of the SEALs lost in this horrible tragedy. The foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was formed Jan. 1, 2011 when The SEAL-Naval Special Warfare Foundation and the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund combined their organizations. This foundation will support anything and everything for the families suffering from this tragedy.
To make sure we thank you for your donation, please send it to us at 1581-107 General Booth Blvd Suite 150 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454. Please make the check out to Naval Special Warfare Foundation. After we collect a few donations, A receipt for your donation will be sent to you. If anyone has any questions, you can call me or the CFO of the NSW, Robin King at 757-363-7490 (ext 201).
All our love and please continue to pray for these families,
Katrina
