Mourners salute fallen soldier (link to original post ‘It's OK, Eddie. Dad's here.' )

I could not attend. I had plans I could not postpone. I knew Eddie from athletic events etc.

OS

‘It's OK, Eddie. Dad's here.' : http://www.omaha.com/article/20100711/NEWS01/707119919#it-s-ok-eddie-dad-s-here

Today's story here: http://www.omaha.com/article/20100717/NEWS01/707189971#mourners-salute-fallen-soldier

Eddie's photo:http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=OW&Date=20100717&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=707189971&Ref=AR&maxw=490&maxh=275

Published Saturday July 17, 2010

Dundee Presbyterian Church in midtown Omaha was packed Saturday morning for the funeral of Pfc. Edwin Wood, who was killed July 5 in Afghanistan.

The 18-year-old — a 2009 Omaha North High graduate — was a scout with the Army's 10th Mountain Division. He died when insurgents bombed his vehicle near Kandahar.

On Saturday, hundreds of Patriot Guard riders were on hand to provide an escort and a salute to the fallen soldier.

In addition, dozens of people — neighbors as well as people who did not know Wood or his family — lined Underwood Avenue for several blocks, holding American flags in tribute.

After the service, a massive line of cars — and the Patriot Guard — joined the funeral procession to Forest Lawn for the burial service.

Wood's relatives include his parents, Janis Boehmer and Thomas Wood, both of Omaha; brothers, T.J. Wood of Fairfield, Iowa, and Josh Doyle from near Waterloo, Iowa; sister, Isabeau Tholen of Omaha; and grandparents Chuck Wood of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Marilyn Scott of Omaha.

:thumbsup:

Although your post brought on some heavy tears, as my oldest grandson -Nick served with Pfc Edwin Wood as a Scout in the Army, 10th Mountain Division. Nick deployed to Afghanistan in May and he previously served 1-yr in Iraq. Nick's calls home to his parents let them know that things were getting pretty hot and deadly and his Unit is getting hit hard. Last week Nick lost his best buddy and mentor, from an ied. Nick's mom is a trauma nurse at one of the local hospitals and is the one that has always maintained her cool and tends to calm everyone else's fears and anxiety.....it is in her blood and that is why she is considered to be an excellent trauma nurse. Nick's mom has been carrying a heavy load as she fights to maintain control for both son and the family. She fights so hard to hold back her emotions that I know it is not healthy. She works the 12-hour night shift, as nurse-in-charge, and when she has had a particularly grueling night, she usually calls me while driving home and unloads.....mentally it helps her to unwind and get some sleep. Because of the numerous deaths and wounded in Nicks Unit, she hasn't been sleeping very well. I received my morning call from her this week, she was surprisingly on a real high. Nick had just called her and openly talked to her about the field services for his fallen comrades/friends........the meaning of the standing rifle, helmet, boots. The individual prayers and offerings from each of his/her special friends......military patch, apple, cigarette butts, etc., etc., each offering having a special meaning between friends. The folding of the flag and insertion of 3-empty cartridges, signifying the 21-gun salute. All of this is placed in a trunk and given to the family. Nick also told his mom that when the body is carried from the battle field to the plane the flag is draped one way depicting the battle field and when the casket is on the plane the flag is reversed reflecting exiting and going home. All of this ceremony and its meaning seemed to not only help Nick, but in his telling the story helped his Mom. She was so excited to tell me and rehash Nick's story.....she said it sounded like Nick was in a better place....mentally. So is she.

So I say thank you Omaha for telling "the rest of the story." I only hope your post continues.

This means so much to the soldiers and the families and friends. And in the telling it just might wake up a few fellow Americans.

:shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug:

My heart cringes when I hear of someone so young being killed for no good reason, in our name. I remember myself at 18, just finishing high school, my whole life in front of me, and ready for anything.
This young man's future is no more, he's in his grave, and his parents will spend the rest of their lives grieving.
I hate what this century has brought us so far.