Calling for Air Support for a fallen soldier’s family

Army SGT Rickey Jones, 21, of Kokomo, Ind; killed Feb. 22 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during patrol operations in Hawijah, Iraq

This story really pains me, and hurts me down to the core, for a number of reasons. I have been receiving a number of emails from a number of people to help with a letter writing campaign for the family.

From Heidi at Euphoric Reality:

Kokomo, February 27: – For the family who lives in a modest home in Kokomo, the fatal Iraq attack came last week.

Then the attack at home followed.

Vandals defaced the home of Sgt. Rickey Jones’ family. Eggs were thrown and flags were stolen. Sgt. Jones, a Kokomo High School graduate, was one four soldier’s with the 101st killed west of Baghdad last week.

So who, one week before his burial in his hometown, would vandalize a fallen hero’s house?

Neighbor Robyn Ousley is at a loss to explain. “I have no idea, somebody pretty, pretty awful.”

Another friend, Bill Swaggerty, says there is more than vandalism for the family to deal with. “They’re calling here and saying, ‘I’m glad your son is dead’ and it’s wrong.”

The family’s neighbors have closed ranks, bringing food and flying flags at half-staff. All are signs of respect for Sgt. Jones.

This is so appalling it makes me want to puke.

The same Kansas church group that has been picketing soldier’s funerals around the U.S. and Indiana will be in Kokomo too. The group claims U.S. soldier deaths are punishment for U.S. tolerance of gays.

Kokomo Police will have extra security and are running extra patrols at the house. Swaggerty, a veteran himself, says he convinced Rickey Jones to join up. He can’t believe Sgt. Jones’ memory would be attacked in this way. “It’s wrong. He would come home on leave. His friends (were) very respectful to my wife and my family. He was a very good kid.”

I heard bikers are revving up to help fallen soldiers:

(CNSNews.com) – A group of motorcycle riders who attend U.S. soldiers’ funerals to protect them from anti-homosexual protestors on Saturday surpassed the 10,000-member mark.

The Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) escort families of fallen soldiers to funeral services and stand between the funeral proceedings and protestors from the Westboro Baptist Church, who picket the ceremonies with anti-American and anti-homosexuality slogans.

Please send a loving card of condolence to SGT Jones’ family. Maybe if we flood them with compassion and caring, we can undo a little of the evil they are being forced to endure.

LindaSog.com sent me a note to solicit more support for this soldier’s family, there is a growing group of bloggers who would also like to support his family with cards and letters to offset the horrible campaign of some of these anti-war crazies.

From A Soldier’s Perspective:

If you are as disgusted as I am and would like to write a letter to have delivered to this family, please email Lauren (MyWay716@aol.com) for more information. The good people over at Operation Military Pride are helping facilitate the delivery of these letters.

This family recently lost a son and shouldn’t have to deal with people like Fred Phelps and the people responsible for the egging of their home and irreverent phone calls. If you feel the same way I do, please email her and write this family a letter of support and love. Let them know that we appreciate their son’s service and mourn their loss. Let’s show them what America is really made of. This isn’t about whether or not you support the war. This is about common decency for a family that has suffered the ultimate sacrifice…having to bury a child.

Helping in the campaign:

Hilary-Dilary Dock
Media Lies
Fix4RSO
Linked In USAF
Terri’s Thoughts
Proud Army Mom
Poohette’s Place
Paulette
Hammering Sparks From The Anvil
Political Bloviation
My Daily Rant
Soldier’s Angels New York
Yikes!!
Big Dog’s Weblog
Gribbit’s Word
LindaSog.com
Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler
Freedom Folks
Red Hot Cuppa Politics

Thanks to Jo’s Cafe