Just over two weeks ago, we published a story about Brigadier General Dana Pittard, who visited FOB Warhorse after leaving there in 2005. It was a sad reunion for him because of the lives lost while making progress there. [Pittard Reluctantly Visits Warhorse]
Pittard said “I really did not want to come to Warhorse because it just meant so much. When you put your heart and soul into something for so long, we felt like there was progress, but then when you lose people that you know (it is tough to return).”
The photos associated with that story showed part of a memorial that holds the names of soldiers who gave their lives for Iraqi Freedom and for ours.
Then last week, I received an email from a Gold Star Mom who told me she had been searching for more information. She asked “any more pictures that you could possibly share with parents and spouses? My son’s name is on this monument and I’ve spent countless hours, on search engines, to find 3 pictures.”
After spending a few hours looking for more photos of that memorial, I realised there was a better way and wrote to SSG Sheryl L. Lawry at FOB Warhorse, asking if there were more photos.
I could be wrong, but it seems there are a lot of memorials that the families don’t get to see and they do want to see them. Then occasionally, there is a glimpse of one, but not all of it and they are looking for just one name. Maybe it is there, but its just out of view or the photo is taken just far enough away that they can’t read all the names.
The reason I am asking is that I had an email from a soldier’s mom. She’s been searching the internet for months – probably since January 2005. Probably, there will never be enough photos, but it would be great if there were more than the few she has now.
Today, seven photos arrived.
The attached note said “Here are the photos you requested. I hope she finds her son here. To give you some background, this is a very special place on Forward Operating Base Warhorse. No one is allowed to walk on the grass and the grass is watered daily.”
A special place for special people – and some beautiful photos.
