April
9th editorial by the
It's easy for some of
us to forget that the
But they're still fighting to defend our freedoms. And there are mothers,
fathers, wives, husbands, sons and daughters in southeastern Minnesota who wake
up every morning wondering where their loved ones are, what they are doing and
when they'll be coming home.
That kind of uncertainty is difficult, but it pales in comparison with what the
family of Lance Cpl. Curtis Swenson is going through. One week ago, two Marines
arrived at the family's home in southeast
We won't repeat all of the well-deserved accolades that Swenson is receiving.
Clearly, he was a fine young man, a good Marine and a true patriot.
Today, however, we choose to honor his family, which has handled this
devastating event with incredible grace and quiet dignity.
We can't claim to truly know Kay and Dave Swenson, but they've allowed the
public to share in their grief. It might have been easier to say "Respect
our privacy," but instead they've let
In that letter, Dave expressed his hope that the praise his son is receiving
will help keep peoples' thoughts and prayers focused on the young men and women
who are fighting, and in some cases dying, to make our world a better place.
"They are all the true heroes," he wrote.
He's right. And most of us probably know a family or two with ties to someone
who is serving overseas. Don't be afraid to ask them how their son or daughter
is doing. Get an e-mail address and send them a note. Better yet, ask the
parents where to send a care package.
Thoughtful expressions like these might be the best tribute we can pay to
heroes like Lance Cpl. Curtis Swenson.
Friday:
Arrival at
Flagline portraits
Visitation at
Saturday:
Funeral at
Flagline portraits
Cemetery at
Album 839 Photos
Airport 1 106
Airport 2 106
Friday portraits 83
Visitation 21
Funeral 1 82
Funeral 2 83
Saturday portraits 1 85
Saturday portraits 2 84
Cemetery 1 95
Cemetery 2 94
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