second No. 8,173,110

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Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 10:54 pm

A freind of mine's husband and son. My apologies for including the face of the child but it is a picture worth seeing.

Quote:

Fond Du Lac Reporter

December 31, 2008

God bless the children who bear the weight of the world

At the time this photo was taken, Alex Strysick could no more tell you where Afghanistan is than could he fully explain why his father was there for a year.

Nor would anyone begrudge him. A 7-year-old should not have to shoulder the burden that comes with a full understanding of the War on Terror and the human price that is paid in waging it.

All that genuinely mattered at this juncture — with wet cheeks pressed to his father’s camouflaged shoulders — was that his dad had, at long last, come home.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Strysick had fulfilled the terms of his deployment, and his wife, Sarah, arranged for him to surprise both Alex and his 4-year-old brother, William, at Rosenow Elementary School.

The moment of recognition brought a litany of emotion, virtually overwhelming the two youngsters.

Of the 31.5 million seconds that comprise a typical year, The Reporter chooses the crowning moment of that April reunion — second No. 8,173,110 — as our 2008 “Moment of the Year.”

It’s easy — perhaps too easy — to let headlines about the latest government scandal and brainless celebrity gossip drown out the fact that, every day, about 150,000 of America’s sons and daughters continue to stand in harm’s way overseas. It is no small thing to forget that six area families still mourn a child or parent, sibling or spouse killed in action (five in Iraq, one in the attack on the USS Cole).

Knowing these facts makes commemorating this moment more meaningful.

Chris Strysick is a soft-spoken man. An eight-year veteran of the armed forces, the Naval Reservist understands that while redeployment is unlikely in the near future, that possibility will remain as long as he serves his country. “That will not change,” he says.

Like a lot of veterans, Strysick takes pride in his service even if he can’t quite find the perfect words to explain what motivates it. “The simplest way I can put it is being part of something bigger than yourself,” he muses.

The emotion on his son’s face — equal parts love, relief and need — suggest that the child, too, has been a part of something bigger than his young self. Even if he can’t fully comprehend his role in it, Alex has paid a price for his country; and in the moment of this hug, that debt had been paid in full.

We thank the Strysicks — all of them — for their sacrifice: A father who traveled far to keep us safe at home; a mother who stayed strong to her faith and her family; and two young boys who bore more weight than we should have to ask of them.

Take a good look at Alex’s face. Mere words cannot convey what his expression reveals. It simply reminds us of a fact that transcends our personal frustrations and national crises: In the end, it is good to love and be loved in return.

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 11:16 pm

My Brother in law spent 18 months in Kandahar. My sister stayed with us that Christmas. I remember when Bob rang one day, I could here this banging noise so I asked him what it was, cool as fook he said
"ah it's just the Taliban giving us our Christmas presents" Shocked

I've a ton of photo's of his return and I get a tear in my eye every time I see the looks on my sisters and nieces faces.

Going a little bit political here but the Taliban and all who think like them need to be destroyed. Do we want to progress or regress in this world?

Rhetorical question folks vino and vodka in the system Laughing

Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 1:46 am

I don't watch much TV but I saw the reunion on the tube and teared up then as well as now. I know that the little one is going through first hand times two.