Heavy Heart

We received some very bad news last night.  My nephew's son, Spc. Robert C. Pope II, was killed in Baghdad, Iraq on Monday November 7, 2005.  Bob and three other GI's were killed by a suicide bomber as they guarded the perimeter of a Southern Baghdad neighborhood.  The Pentagon officially announced the four deaths today, raising the total to 2052 Americans killed in action. 

Bob was 22, recently married, serving his third tour of duty in Iraq.

Comments

[John Wagner]

Tom:

There's not much I can say here except to tell you that my heart goes out to you and your family.

Your nephew's son was a brave young man doing a job that many people call for but few are willing to do themselves.

I only hope that his death -- and those of the other young men and women killed while serving their country so honorably -- isn't in vain.

[Tonja Deegan]

Ugh, sorry to hear that. Prayers to your family.

[Nigel Alston]

My prayers are with you and your family.

[BLAUGRA]

We're sorry for your family's loss. Truly sucky. D&L

[Connie Sartain]

I'm so sorry...and angry.

[Connie Sartain]

I'm so sorry...and angry.

[Connie Sartain]

Tom,
There's an article in the NYPost online with a picture, "GI Groom Killed."

[Michael Wagner]

Dear Tom, no words to say, just with you in this time of loss.

[Tom]

Thanks, all, for the kind words.

It's a peculiar situation for me, because, while I knew this young man, I did not know him well. He seemed like an affable, earnest, dedicated kid who found the military well-suited to his needs. His parents have already experienced a great deal of tragedy in their lives, and now have to deal with the death of a child. And my brother and his wife, who themselves tragically lost a child at around the same age almost 25 years ago, are again experiencing this unreachable pain.

Months ago, I wrote a brief post about life's fragility and inexplicability. Now I'm reminded again: as long as you live, never think you're through with what life gives us.