On August 18, 2005 one of our Jacksonville Terry Parker High School graduates was killed in action in Iraq. Private First Class Timothy J. Seamans, USA would come home in a casket that would not and could not be opened even for his parents.

Some of you might even remember that grisly summer that punched us in the gut more than once. That was the year of Hurricane Katrina too. Just as the people of New Orleans were upended, the impact of August 18^th is still wreaking havoc on Dave and Monica Seamans and their daughter Ashley. They and over 252 families in our great state of Florida are trying to cope with the loss of their loved ones who have lost their lives defending the United States of America in our war against terrorism.

From June to December of that year, I was the acting pastor of Resurrection in Arlington when I read the Florida Times Union and the story of Timothy coming home. Although I had just returned from Iraq in April, I felt paralyzed. The family was Catholic and was to have the funeral nearby. I felt like I needed to go to the funeral, but I just couldn’t. It was too much for me.

Eventually, I left a message for the parents to contact me if they needed anything. Most of how we became friends bonded by this tragedy remains a fog to me. I sometimes believe that I am stronger than I am. On December 5 of that year, I retired and was bumbling through my stories. On December 25^th, Mark Woods wrote and the Florida times Union published the cover story, “The best Christmas ever.”

I began 2006 by taking a mini sabbatical to Prince of Peace Benedictine Abbey in Oceanside, California (just south of Camp Pendleton Marine Base). During that time I wrote the rough draft of Tear in the Desert and met up with the widow and children of Major Kevin Shea, USMC whom I anointed moments after a rocket plunged into him. Those meetings required more from me than the day of the blast.

Life goes on. I returned in March for two years at San Juan del Rio Parish. In 2006, Dave and Monica Seamans had established the Florida Fallen Heroes organization. The mission is simple:

The purpose and mission of this foundation is to create,

establish and maintain the Fallen Soldier Monument

at each hometown high school of a Florida graduate who

lost their lives defending the United States of America

in our war against terrorism.

Dave Seamans is the president and all the board positions are the parents and siblings of the heroes and heroines who died on active duty. Thank God for Mrs. Kathy Cayton, the national president of the Navy Wives who is a staunch supporter of the families of our troops. Beloved, the number one way to support our troops is to support their families. If we could ask those who died, I am sure they would agree.

So I have been to most of the annual dinner and dances. This year, they moved the event from the fall to this past Mother’s Day weekend. I almost missed the event which was being held at the Firehouse on Stockton Street. The Navy Band Southeast kicked off the event with great music and the national anthem with the help of the American Legion Post 137.

When Dave saw me walk up to the firehouse, he got all giddy and said that his prayers were answered. He hugged me and then kissed me on the cheek before asking in a manner that sounded more like a statement, “Father Ron, I thought you were out of town. Would you do the prayers?”

After dinner we hear reflections from the families of the fallen…

Mary, the mother of Tavarus D. Setzer (KIA 10/02/08) spoke about the picture of her son on the table that was signed by President Obama. Two fathers spoke of the last time they were with their sons. One mother and father had another son still out in Iraq or Afghanistan. The brother of Clinton McCormick couldn’t get up and speak but he sat beside and spoke volumes with his tears. There are 252 pictures in the program of our Florida Fallen Heroes.

So when I was asked to pray the closing prayer, there was a huge lump in my throat. I asked the family members of the fallen to please stand. I was in the presence of the bravest people in our country. There was nothing I could say that would ease the pain. I fought back the tears and prayed with all of my being.

I asked them to share one or two words to describe their loved ones who died and then I ran around with the microphone. In this case, one word was worth at least a thousand.

We then danced for a little time, but we were all a little worn out in a good way.

May I suggest that you check out FloridaFallenHeroes.org and lend some support for our troops and their families?

Have a blessed week.

Love, joy, peace,

Father Ron +

www.tearinthedesert.com

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