A Sad Anniversary

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TheAxeman

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Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the last time that I ever saw my son Jordan alive. I took this photo of him on Onslow Beach down at Camp Lejeune on March 16th, 2008. He deployed on March 21st and was killed on April 22nd. I had flown down to say goodbye to him and to pick up his truck for transport back to NY. We ended up having a great weekend together, just me and him. We must have put 500 miles on the truck that weekend just driving around, laughing, joking, and doing the stuff that a father and son love to do together....

Jordanonthebeach.jpg


I was going through some letters I received after his death and came across this one and thought I would share it......Its been a hard journey. I've left the senders name off for privacy reasons.

I didn't really feel comfortable posting this on the website so I figured I would email it to you. I don't know if you are a member of the Haerter family or not but if you could please pass on my message to them. I never got a chance to meet Jordan while he was still living. My job in Iraq was making sure that fallen Marines get home and aren't left in a God awful place like Iraq. Jordan was one of those Marines I helped get back. We weren't sure what happened at first except for that it was a VBIED blast and two Marines were killed. This was not uncommon for us. The rest of the story trickled in little by little. We heard of how Jordan stood his ground and fought. Because of that we were only preparing two flag draped caskets and not 20. Jordan will forever be rememered by me and the Marines of my unit as being a hero. All Marines like to think that they have the kind of courage that he had and in that moment of truth they will perform the same way but no one ever knows. We treated him with great respect as we do all fallen Marines and I carried him onto the plane that took him out of Iraq. Before he left I told him be at peace brother, he would be back home shortly, and that he was a hero we would never forget. War hardened Marines who have seen hundreds of the fallen come through our doors were teary eyed and speachless at how this Marine who was younger than all of us was the bravest man we will ever see or know. I know I will be telling his story to my Marines for a long time to come. I was also very proud to hear that he recieved the Navy Cross, he deserves it. I didn't intend this email to upset anyone if it did. I just wanted you to know two things. We took good care of Jordan and gave him the hero's send off he deserved and treated him with the utmost dignity, reverence, and respect, and that even after he had passed on Jordan continued to inspire Marines with his heroism. It was my honor to help him get home to his family.

Semper Fi

CPL R.

May he forever Rest In Peace.

 
Chris, I am sitting here teary eyed and speechless. I wish that I'd had the chance to meet Jordan. I still carry in my truck the picture you gave me of him, sitting right next to my granddaughter's. Take care.

 
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Teary eyed as I read this...

I knew of the upcoming April 22nd anniversary...I didn't know of the March 16th one. I'm glad you guys had a great day two years ago.

That day is something to hold close to your heart...

...as well as this treasure of a letter from the Marine that you shared.

I'm sorry I won't see you in May down in NC...but I really appreciated seeing you last May. I will always remember that weekend...

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Wishing you peace and the knowledge that he travels with you every day in your heart. Thank you for sharing him with us... sounds like one helluva human being.

 
Few things are worse than outliving your children. Thank you for raising the kind of son who sacrificed the greatest gift of all for the rest of us.

 
I'm speechless except to say that we all lost a good man. So sorry for your loss. God bless him and your family.

 
Shook me then, shakes me now. RIP Jordan.

Axe, peace to you and yours

 
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I read this forum every day and a few posts, like this one, really touch ya. Thanks for sharing with us.

He will be remembered.

 
I do not post often but this post touched me and brought back memories from years ago. The pain will subside but the memory of him will always be vivid. You raised a very brave Marine and I am sure you are proud of him and the job you did. Rest in peace, brother. Semper Fi.

 
God Bless you and your family. Jordan, thank you and rest in peace.

Being a father myself I am deeply moved by your sons sacrifice and your families hardship.

 
Chris,

It always stuns me that, despite all the things that are not good today, somehow we find people like your son and the Corporal who wrote this letter. They stand "on the wall" and protect us and ask nothing in return. Bless you and your wife for having raised one of them.

Dan

 
From one Marine to another, Semper Fi Jordon. And Semper Fi to you Axeman, no matter what your military affiliation may or may not have been. Your loss makes you part of the Marine Corps family past, present and future to all who hear of Jordans action.

Because of him being the kind of person you raised, 20 sets of parents, 40 sets of grandparents, untold numbers of brothers,sisters, cousins ,aunts,uncles, teachers, neighbors, friends,wives,children & lovers will never feel your kind of pain.

He literally touched hundreds of lives in his last moments in a manner only true heroes can do. Those men and their relatives will never forget him. Nor shall I.

My hope is this brings your heart peace as the years go by.

For others wondering what Semper Fidelis means to true Marines, follow the link below. Jordan knew and he was spectacularly successful at implementing it. Semper Fi Jordan, Semper Fi.

https://www.oo-rah.com/store/editorial/edi52.asp

 
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Chris,

I am so very glad to hear that you had that great day together. I know how much that means.

I think about you and Jordan often. I knew that his anniversary was upcoming, and that every day at this time o year would bring a new reminder of his departure.

I agree with Dan that it is so very comforting to the rest of us to realize that, even with all the crappy things that we see and hear about people doing to each other every day, there are still some of such exceptional character and selflessness. It restores my faith in the human condition.

 
Axe - everytime I read about your son, it almost always is through a lump in the throat and some tears.

I very grreatful that you have the strength to share this extremely personal event with all of us. I served many years in the Navy, and as others have said far better then I can, your son is a great hero who will never be forgotten. There are a great many people who share your pride in Jordon. Thank you for sharing the corporal's email.

 
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