Stryker Brigade News

More importantly, he was a fellow Soldier and that fact makes us brothers-in-arms. I mourn his loss and my heart goes out to his family and friends.

One of Spc. Pearce’s friends gave a short speech that was filled with remorse punctuated by pieces of joy. One anecdote involving an impromptu boat rental and water-ski trip in the rain made the attendees laugh.

After this young man finished, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry’s Rear Detachment Commander, Capt. (Michael) Spinello stood and approached the podium.

He gave a speech that included a letter written by Spc. Pearce to his hometown newspaper. It was poignant, funny and showed exactly who Spc. Pearce was and what he was made of.

In this letter, Spc. Pearce mentioned driving down the small town streets of Iraq and seeing little kids that were barefoot on the corners, asking for basic necessities like food and water. The image of these children added new context to my life and inspired me to write this.

The question of why the United States is in Iraq comes up frequently in everyday activities — from the water cooler to standing in line at the grocery store to Internet forums.

Spc. Pearce answers this question in his letter. “… I am not here to kill someone, I am here to help as many as I can live a better life.”

He understood that it is about people, specifically the children, who are unable to protect themselves. Spc. Pearce knew we needed to do it for them.

Helping the helpless. If there is anything more noble, more demanding, or more rewarding, I don’t know what it would be.

The fight for freedom does not begin or end in the Middle East; it starts at home with our families. This is something every one of us can do, every day of our lives.

It is our job to protect our children from harm. This includes mental and physical abuse, malnutrition, and the other dangers that life presents.

There are times when children need to be protected from people they should trust and respect: parents, family members and even teachers.

Teachers at the kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade levels are tasked with introducing children to school.

More importantly, teachers must encourage their students in such a way that they will enjoy learning and put forth their best effort in everything they do.

Together, parents, family members and teachers have the moral obligation of preparing children for the future, without crippling them.

Parents must recognize the dangers presented by today’s world. We must protect our children in a way which will teach them to protect themselves.

Family members, as well as other adults with a direct influence on children, are charged with the same responsibility as parents.

Helping those that cannot help themselves. It is more than a cliché; it is something ingrained in my very soul. Children are helpless.

I know that I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my children — or any child — from harm. I believe it is a sacred duty that every person should perform.

We should all strive to have the same convictions that Spc. Pearce displayed. Joshua Pearce was measured, and he showed his quality in the letter he wrote.

These are his words as read by Capt. Spinello, “There is absolutely nothing that I wouldn’t give to allow the people who love me so much and support me to continue their day to day routine and have no worries.”