"Hope Rides Eternal" for Sgt. Eddie Jeffers' Dad

How does one react to the death of one's child in a war that many deem "immoral"? For some, like the Cindy Sheehan's of the world, it turns into seething anger and ugliness, for others...for those who believe that this is the ultimate battle between darkness and light, for those who walk in faith with God, it turns into acceptance, with a grace, strength and humility that is beyond comprehension. One such person is David Jeffers, the father of Sgt. Eddie Jeffers, patriot, brave soldier and author of the powerful "Hope Rides Alone" opinion piece. This is my tribute to both Eddie and David. Rest in Peace Eddie.

In a recent post (upon learning of Eddie's tragic and untimely passing) I wrote about how guilty I felt for not having followed through with a simple request Eddie's dad made of Eddie's 'admirers' in May. Soon after publishing that last post, I received an email from David Jeffers that brought tears to my eyes. For some reason, he was unable to post a comment on my blog, so he asked that I post the content of his email after I read it.

What touched me most, was that this man, in the midst of what both he and his family are going through, had the graciousness to reach out to me in kindess, in order to comfort and alleviate my feelings of regret.

Here is what he wrote:


Incog,

How about if I take the first step? It's Dave; Eddie's father. My dear friend you have no need to feel guilty or apologize. I appreciate you spreading the word about Eddie's article. I encourage you and your readers to check at www.newmediajournal.us for my tribute article about Eddie. It will be out Monday morning and is titled "Hope Rides Eternal." I know you want to do something, so here's three things you can do and I hope it helps alleviate your pain and guilt:

1. Continue blogging; it is vital you do this.
2. Honor Eddie's life with a commitment to stand for what he believed in. That will be addressed in my article and on my blog in the coming months.
3. You can give money to Eddie's favorite charity, www.fisherhouse.org.

I hope this helps, God bless you. Do not fret another moment. My family loves you and more importantly, so does Jesus.

In Christ
Dave Jeffers
Ps. 37:4

I wanted to wait until I had read his beautiful tribute to his son (which, too, brought tears to my eyes) published in The New Media Journal, today, before I published his email. I highly recommend reading it.

So, this is for you David. Thank you for your past military service, and that of your son! I will continue the fight, in any way I can, to ensure your son's death was not in vain. And I will donate to fisherhouse.org in his name.

May you and your family be showered with all of God's good blessings in these sad and trying times.

God Bless all our soldiers, this country and the world!

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:

The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,

Hath had elsewhere its setting,

And cometh from afar:

Not in entire forgetfulness,

And not in utter nakedness,

But trailing clouds of glory do we come

From God, who is our home:

William Wordsworth

Dave Jeffers blog. He will be continuously posting a call to arms.

Sgt. Eddie Jeffers "Hope Rides Alone" KIA 9/18/07

Another good soldier dies sacrificing his life for world freedom, and my heart bleeds.

Sgt. Eddie Jeffers who wrote "Hope Rides Alone" was killed in action on 9/18/07 in Ramadi, Iraq, where he was bravely serving. I don't know the details, only what I read on Canada Free Press. (If you haven't read it, please read it in his honour).

I posted regarding his commentary "Hope Rides Alone", back in January, 07. I was so impressed with what he wrote, I emailed him and wound up corresponding, for a short while, with his Dad, a man of faith who was very proud of his son.

This news touches me deeply because it is tinged with regret. At the end of May, I received a group email from his Dad informing all those who had contacted him about Eddie, that Eddie would be spending 2 weeks of R/R, in June with his wife. He wanted to surprise them for their 2 year anniversary with a 2 night stay in a lovely resort and, apologizing upfront for any offense people might take, asked those who wished to contribute to send 1 dollar to help defray the cost. It was a humble email and I took no offense, but I procrastinated, as I have a tendency to do, and never wound up sending the dollar. Now I feel guilty because I never did, and he's gone. I'd like to contact his Dad, but I'm not sure whether I should.

The lesson for me, is to always follow through, or be a victim of regret!!

Rest in peace, sweet soldier and God bless you for the ultimate sacrifice.

God be with his family.

H/T United Conservatives

UPDATE: 9/23/07

Found this on RightTruth.

Sgt. Eddie Jeffers actually died in a rollover accident in Taqqadum, Iraq. Somehow makes it even sadder. A devout man of faith, like his Dad, 23 year old Eddie enlisted because "He believed he was on a mission from God."

He is a true hero!

"Hope Rides Alone", by Sgt. Eddie Jeffers

Noticed this on littlegreenfootballs.com: a commentary entitled "HOPE RIDES ALONE", by Sgt. Eddie Jeffers, brave soldier currently deployed in Iraq.

Beautifully written and very insightful. It's well worth a read!

God Bless you all, Sgt. Jeffers!