Morning the loss Marine Andrew Whitacre

Morning the loss of our beloved Marine Andrew Whitacre
June 26, 2008

The sun was shining over Jay County on Saturday morning. The sky was a glorious blue.

But there was a cloud over our heart.

Despite all logic, we had hoped that the community could make it through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq without the loss of local life.

Last week, those hopes were dashed.

With the death of Andrew Whitacre, this community joins hundreds of others across America in mourning.

It is an occasion for solemnity. It is an occasion for dignity. And it is an occasion for honor.

On those three points, every American can agree.

This is not about politics. This is not about policy.

This is about a young man, one of our own, who is lost to us now.

Let us honor him now, with solemnity and with dignity and with enormous respect.

Let us honor and console his family and loved ones. Let us remind them that they are not alone.

They are part of a larger community and a nation that places great value on their sacrifice.

But, most of all, let us honor Andrew, a Marine, but also not much more than a kid.

A young man with the world and all its possibilities in front of him.

A young man so much like so many other young men and women who serve their country.

And let us acknowledge the painful passing of that cloud over our heart

This was found in the Commerical Review, Portland, Indiana

http://www.policelink.com/news/34546-morning-the-loss-
of-our-beloved-marine-andrew-whitacre

Good Lord, how I wish that everyone in this country could remember these exact words.

Community honors fallen Indiana Marine

Posted: June 26, 2008 11:57 AM EDT


Lance Corporal Andrew Whitacre died last Thursday in Afghanistan.



JAY COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) - A community is honoring a fallen Indiana Marine.

The body of Lance Corporal Andrew Whitacre arrived in Jay County Wednesday. Hundreds of people lined the streets.

The 21-year-old, from Bryant, died Thursday in Afghanistan.

Whitacre's visitation is going on now in Portland.

His funeral will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at the Jay County High School.
http://www.wishtv.com/global/story.asp?s=8559187