The
ISAF isses press releases without naming names of casualties. 24 hours after the family has been notified,
the Department of Defense issues a more specific press release. On October 17th, ISAF
press release 2009-749 reported, “Two U.S. service members were killed in
an improvised explosive device attack in eastern
(The
International Security Assistance Force, the ISAF, conducts operations in
The
ISAF press releases are what the families watch when their soldier serves in
One
of those other soldiers is Chris Rudzinski.
I
don’t have the details yet on Chris’ death.
I was told it was an IED. Chris is my oldest son, 28 years old and a
father for his little boy Ryan and husband to Caroline… I have attached a picture of Chris and Ryan,
who turned one year old last month while his daddy was in
I
truly see this as a battle between the forces of good and evil. How can anyone not? Good brings hope to a whole people that have
never known anything [but the kind of] evil that cuts the heads off innocent
civilians on TV. I know that I can't
change the world but if I can rid it of some of this evil by taking down as
many of these bastards as possible then I think that God will forgive me.
Surely
God will forgive him. The next day, Mike wrote
again:
I
hope you don’t mind me writing you and updating you on Chris’ return home. I’m not sure I can cry any more tears and
remain strong for my family too without talking with somebody.
My
head is in a spin and my heart aches as we start the process of bringing Chris
home. Today Natalie, Caroline, Ryan and
I were flown to Dover Air Force Base to witness the dignified transfer
ceremony. It is the ceremony where our
men and women in uniform take heroes and render honors as they return to
American soil. I’ve had to do some
difficult tasks in my life and Army career, but I have to say that standing
there in the rain and cold and watching our military men and women take loving
care of my son, like they have with the thousands who have preceded him was
about too much to bear. It was too much
for Caroline, she collapsed at seeing her beloved husband and Ryan’s daddy, in
a flag draped transfer case, being unloaded from the plane and put into the van
which has taken Chris to the mortuary unit to prepare him for his trip home.
I
was moved by the reverence and care the honor guard, the general officer, the
chaplains, the mortuary staff, the security detail and even the military
families on Dover Air Force Base gave to Chris and my family on the way to and
from the flightline and during the transfer.
I can’t imagine where these people find the strength to do this over and
over again. They too, are truly
heroes-military and civilian alike.
But
I thought you should also know about the other heroes we ran into today,
because they made my heart swell with love and pride, even as it was
breaking. It started with the United
check-in clerk who moved or bumped somebody out of premium seating to ensure
that Natalie and I could sit together on the flight to
Then
came the cascade of wonderful gestures, messages and visitors who were ensuring
that my kids, family and friends who could not go with us, were being comforted
and feeling the love and reverence for Chris that we received today. Finally I have to say two final events
happened which made my soul soar and my tears start anew.
First,
Caroline told me, that a gentleman on her flight overhead her talking with her
military escort about Chris’ death and he politely asked Caroline to speak with
him at the arrival gate when she got off the plane. When she got off the plane, the gentleman was
standing there and he said he owned a business and he always supported the troops
and he wanted to help her out. He placed
several folded bills in her hand and said “buy something nice for your
baby.” Then he walked away without
introducing himself. Caroline put the
bills in her pocket and went to baggage claim.
Later today, Caroline was telling us about this kind gesture and she
pulled out the folded bills. She said,
“I think he gave me twenty dollars.” She
was wrong. He had given her five hundred
dollars. Natalie and I started crying
for a stranger who’s only wish was to do something nice, without recognition or
reward.
When
I decided to share this story with you, that’s when the second event
occurred. I read all of the comments
under Chris’ picture and the outpouring of care, concern and reverence that the
readers of KisP offered to us. I couldn’t stop crying. We are overwhelmed that so many people took
the time to offer a part of their heart in an effort to save ours. You all are heroes to me and my family. And I guess this brings me to my main
point. What a wonderful country this is,
surrounded by people who offer their treasure, their service, acts of simple
kindness and even their hearts to help a stranger in need. I am confident we will prevail against the
evil that is plaguing humanity. Thank
you for putting Chris’ sacrifice into perspective for me. I think I might even get through these dark
times.
May
the Almighty God bless and keep you and reward you in this life and the next.
I was
reminded of Taking Chance. And the next day, Mike writes
again:
We
have set up a college scholarship fund for Ryan. Donations can be made
to:
Ryan
A. Rudzinski
Community
Plus Federal Credit Union
As
an alternative, I would also offer the suggestion that memorial contributions
may be made to any of the following organizations:
Soldiers’
Angels
Valor IT
USO
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
or any other veterans service organization of the donor’s choosing.
These
memorial contributions can be made in Christopher’s name, or perhaps in the
names of Christopher and a veteran close to the donor. I think Chris
would like people to remember his brothers and sisters in arms as well.
He was that kind of guy. He referred to the members of his squad in
I am
waiting for notification from the
I would
like to thank you both for what you have done to honor and remember Chris for
the fine man, soldier and NCO that he was. They have been such a blessing
for me and Natalie, but especially for Caroline. Caroline is German and
as you might imagine, not only was Chris’ death very devastating to her, but it
was coupled by the small, yet significant differences in culture between our
two countries, which made things more painful. However, the outpouring of
support, condolences and tokens of honor have been a godsend to Caroline.
She has been awed by what she has experienced from our fellow citizens.
It certainly is not the
Speaking
of media, the local television outlets in
Thank
you again for all that you have done for Chris and for all who are in, or all
who have done military service. God bless you both and all of your loyal
readers.
The
mission status
changed to “confirmed” early Thursday morning, and Thursday afternoon the schedule
became known:
Our
son, PFC Jordan Rudzinski, and I will be escorting Chris back home. We
believe we will land at
Then Christopher will be escorted to
On Monday, October 26th there will be a Catholic Mass of Christian Burial
beginning 11 a.m. at Saint Malachy Catholic Church in Rantoul, followed by a
procession to
Finally, we were told today that Chris had been posthumously promoted from
sergeant to staff sergeant.
Thank you for all that you have done to honor Chris and his service. We
are in your debt for this kindness you have provided us.
Take care, and God bless.
I
will be there.
~~~
It is
now three days since I left the cemetery where we buried Chris and I am ready
to write. Unlike any mission before,
this page is already filled with many words written by the dead soldier’s
father. He too is a soldier. Like his son, he stands ready to follow
orders even to death. But even as the
death of his son weighs on him, his graciousness flows to us.
And
that is the American ideal. It is a code
of behavior that rose from the American west and was crystallized in the cowboy
movies of Gary Cooper,
One
PGRider arrived early Sunday morning shivering from his 3-hour ride. He was wearing full ACUs (the army’s new
“digital camouflage” uniform) and riding a bike with that icon on his oil tank.
The people in the army and the people in the Patriot
Guard and all good Americans understand those values. Ronald Reagan called it “Peace through
Strength” and Teddy Roosevelt said, “Speak softly but carry a big stick”.
The Patriot Guard reflects our army which reflects
Americanism – great power in service to great values.
Six ranks and five files to the left of the hearse.
Six ranks and five files to the right of the
hearse.
First responders in six ranks and eight files
nearby.
And then, at 10 minutes before 10 o’clock, Chris and
his official escort reached the hanger.
The plane also carried two special escorts, both soldiers: his father and his brother.
I left when the plane arrived. I knew it would soon be silent in that hanger
and difficult for me to slip away, and I wanted to take a position on a bridge
to photograph the procession. Others
were waiting, too.
I got out my big flag and waited on the north side
of
followed by 47 PGR bikes,
followed by Chris,
followed by 26 more PGR bikes.
LEOs trailed with a rolling roadblock to prevent
other traffic from compromising solemnity.
By the time I got to
Sergeant Major Peter Thomas was an 82nd
Division paratrooper for 22 years and an active soldier for 30. His students would be ubiquitous.
The fall colors and the red, white & blue would
be ubiquitous.
And PGRiders were ubiquitous.
McCarrell.
Air Force.
Chris had been moved from the airport to the
funeral home. We dispersed. Some of us had lunch. Then we reformed and paraded to the high
school.
One table provided for contributions to a college
fund for the infant son of our fallen hero.
Three PGRiders were the first three to contribute.
The visitation would last all afternoon and the
grand venue was ready.
The army and a small PGR escort delivered Chris to
his place of honor and the line of mourners started to form.
The Patriot Guard uniform is black leather with
patches. Most uniforms have patches.
The
It was an honor to have these fine young people
standing with us.
But they are young.
They don’t know what their uniform represents unless someone tells
them. They want to believe they are
living-up to a high standard, but they must hear it before they can be sure.
KIA funerals clarify.
Remember right after 9/11, the ubiquitous “united
we stand”? The image of fellow citizens
who chose to jump 100 stories to avoid being consumed in the fire clarified our
minds. We all knew which side we were
on. And we all knew who the enemy was.
But most of us understand that Chris Rudzinski died
a hero.
When I spotted this uniform, I asked his mom if I
might photograph him. So the cub scout
knew what I was going to do and that his mom approved. He asked me if he should salute.
A few people nearby in line smiled at that
question. Maybe they were thinking,
“Isn’t that cute?” I give the cub more
credit. He knew he was at a funeral, and
that it was no ordinary funeral. He knew
what his uniform stood for, and what each patch measured. He knew that it is a gesture of respect was
it was appropriate.
I told him no, and that he should just stand up
straight. He was not a baby doll for me
to pose. He knows which side he is on.
Illinois Governor Quinn shook more hands than
usual. He went down the long line of
people waiting to go inside the high school.
Certainly there will be cynics who will find it easy to condemn him for
what they think are his motives. I have
seen him at many military funerals and I know better. This is what leadership looks like.
It’s not about nationalized health care. It’s not even about the war. It is about honoring a fallen hero and
demonstrating official sanction of respect.
After the waiting guests, he sought-out each
PGRider, and then each first-responder.
Plus the cub scout.
It is a shame that our best citizens sometimes die
in battle but there is good of it.
Overshadowed by the great sacrifice of Chris and
his family, we all tried a little harder to live-up to his standard: The PGRiders, the students, the governor, the
cub scout.
The long line of mourners never shortened. Chris’ parents, brother and wife stood just
before the casket all afternoon, receiving each guest individually. About six o’clock, an announcement was made
that they had to stop to eat and rest. I
certainly understood that. It is hard to
stand for that long and it is made harder by the emotional burdens of the
day. His father and brother were in
The family retired – except for the father. Colonel Rudzinski walked down the line, out
of the school and along the sidewalk, taking time with each person individually
along the way. In the circumstance, this
was a great feat of selfless service.
There was a public memorial service that evening –
the religious/military funeral the next day would be more private. When it was time to return Chris to the
funeral home, the Patriot Guard and the
~~~
The next day, the
When I got to the staging area, I found this
gentleman among us. He was in town for a
family funeral and found comfort in our support of Chris.
The
and then, one more time, we rolled into town.
The students marched in to join us at the church.
In our various uniforms, we found our places,
and stood in silent tribute.
A 21st Century American soldier greets a
Korean War veteran in front of the church.
30 years ago, the church placed this monument at
their flagpole, near their front door.
LTC Kilhoffer served in the same reserve unit as my
wife. He previously served in the same
combat area as COL Rudzinski. Justin
Kilhoffer would bugle Taps for Chris
Rudzinski.
The casket flag is always removed inside a Catholic
church. It was carefully folded. It would be one of two flags presented to the
family at the cemetery.
At the cemetery when a folded flag would be passed
between soldiers, they would seem to salute each other. I think this gives the civilian audience a
mistaken impression. True, military
courtesy requires soldiers to acknowledge authority that way, but the two
sergeants shown here are not saluting each other.
They are saluting the flag.
Again I left early for the next location. I noted that Saint Malachy elementary school
and
Saint Malachy middle school students would be
waiting to raise their own salute.
At the cemetery I found that the gravesite was
located closest to the flagpole.
Rifles, ammo and bugle were laid out.
Margaret died on February 11, 1898 at the age of
63. On February 12th, six
years later, William died at the age of 58.
So says the tall marker between the sign and the utility pole.
And then the final procession came.
Area cops,
Private Kilhoffer performed Taps perfectly and then Major General Crandall enacted the image
that had been recurring these two days.
He got down on one knee before Chris’ widow. And then he got down on one knee before
Chris’ father.
We can argue about nationalized health care tomorrow.
From Lincoln’s second inaugural address: “Fondly do we hope — fervently do we pray —
that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue…so still
it must be said ‘the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous
altogether.’ With malice toward none;
with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the
right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's
wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and
his orphan — to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace,
among ourselves, and with all nations.”
Patriot Guard Ride Captains carve it into their
arms.
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