I wrote the post below originally over a year ago. When I first heard the news that Josh was gone, it rocked my world. Not Josh. Why him? I wrote this post as my outlet. I wanted needed people to know how much of a good guy he was. I wanted his wife to know how much all the guys that deployed with him absolutely loved him. He was the kind of guy you could never hate.
The day after I wrote this post, his wife emailed me. I was backing out of my driveway when my Blackberry buzzed. It was an e-mail from her thanking me for the kind words that I said about her husband. I’ll not share the whole email, but the last few sentences have never left my memory:
Josh was such a great person. He loved everybody. He is the definition of a true hero.
He is my HERO.
I sat in my driveway for another 10 minutes going over the email balling my eyes out.
Josh, I’ll never forget what you’ve done and what you sacrificed. I want my kids to know who is the man that gave it all. The reason that their dad cries when he thinks about what you’ve done. Josh, you are my hero, too.
Monday was not the easiest way to start a week. Writing this post is not the easiest thing to do. This morning I caught a news feed that read “Two Illinois National Guardsmen Killed in Afghanistan”. Immediately my heart dropped.
Having safely returned home from Iraq in March 2006, I felt so blessed that I, and every soldier from C 2/123rd Field Artillery, returned home safely. A few scares but nothing more than “close call” stories that you can share with friends every now and then. After nine years of National Guard service I retired. It’s hard to walk away from something that’s been part of your life for so long, but I knew it was time. Others that deployed with me felt they had more to offer. More to sacrifice. One of those soldiers was SSG Joshua Melton.
SSG Melton and his daughter
SSG Melton was only an E-4 Specialist when we were in Baghdad. He quickly jumped up in rank upon arriving home showing his loyalty and love for his country. He didn’t have to go back. He could be home with his wife and his one year old daughter. Many of my buddies that were previously deployed didn’t have to go. They volunteered. They sacrificed. SSG Melton made the ultimate sacrifice.
26 years of age, SSG Melton’s vehicle was hit while on a convoy in Afghanistan. He wasn’t the only killed that day. I also learned that another was killed and two other soldier were injured including one that deployed with me. He was flown to Germany. At this time I don’t know the extent of his injuries. All I can do is pray.
Tribute To a Hero
Now I sit here not sure what to do. I want to call SSG Melton’s family and tell them how sorry I am. To see his wife and daughter and tell them that their husband/daddy is a hero. For now I just reminisce of the memories I have of him. Of his quirky sense of humor. All the while trying to really believe that the news story is right. That it’s his name that I read as the latest fatality.
It can’t be?
It is.
I tribute this post to you. For the sacrifice that you made for me and my family and this country that you loved. You weren’t asked, you just did. You will always be remembered. You will always be my hero.
“He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare)
You can see more pictures of Josh and his family at his tribute site here.
My name is Jeff Rose and in my life I've trained with the U.S. Army to be an Infantry soldier. In my professional career I've trained to be a financial planner. The recent financial catastrophe brings to light how so many people have become victims of their poor
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Jeff I understand how you feel but still in my eyes you are also a hero and I hope when your children are old enough to understand that you will tell them what you also done in the service of your country. While you were in Iraq I sent you email from time to time and I felt honored to be able to write to a real life hero such as you, your children need to know what you did! I have a son in law that was in the Army for 25 years and after he did retire he had some of the same feeling that you are having, less than a year after he retired his old outfit re-deployed to Iraq and he was eaten up with guilt feeling but one man can only do so much and in my heart and mind you and my son in law both have done more than your share and you should always be proud of what you have done and always hold you head up high and never deny what you have done for so many people in this great country we call America.