My sister Mary Wheeler had it on her heart to send President Bush a copy of Eddie’s article, “Hope Rides Alone,” after his death. Here are her words:
Dear David,
I just wanted you to know that I have just mailed off Eddie’s article to the President. He may not get it but we can pray that he does. I just happened along the address while I was looking up something else at the USPS website and I had an over-whelming desire in my heart to send it to him. I hope that you do not mind. I know that your friend may have already done so but I really felt that it was the Lord’s will for me to do it, whether it was just for my own peace of mind or not I do not know.
Your son is not forgotten,
All my love.
Minji (her nickname)
Well, I just received an update from her:
Hi Dave,
Hope that you and Karen are well. I just wanted to tell you that the package I sent to Pres. Bush did get to him. They actually sent me back a signed letter and a “Seal of the President of the United States” medallion. I have attached the letter so you can read it. God bless you guys.
Love,
Minji
I’m not sure all that Mary included in the package, but I am so honored that the Lord used my sister to get Eddie’s letter to the President. I actually tried a couple of avenues, but an Aunt’s love is greater than going through normal channels.
Here is a copy of President Bush’s letter to my sister Mary:
The letter I received is a testimony to the kindness of our Commander In Chief.
All my love,
Minji
Hi Dave- Although I have not agreed with some of President Bush’s policies (Israel, illegals, etc.) I have never doubted his sincerity when it comes to sympathy and empathizing with families who have lost a loved one- whether they’re a war hero like Eddie, or someone who has lost during a natural or other disaster- It’s special that you now have something from the President that shows that he really does care- and that will remind you all that he knows and his thoughts are with you and all our other military families. God Bless you all, and thank you Mary for following God and your heart! Love Carolyn
Thank you for following your heart and sending Eddie’s article to the President. As Dave can attest, sometimes when you’re a leader it’s hard to get a good sense of how those you lead are feeling. Eddie’s writings so clearly articulate how our Soldiers and those who love and support them truly feel about the mission of bringing freedom to a people so starved for it. I pray that Eddie’s writings will strengthen the resolve of the President to ensure our Soldiers are allowed to accomplish their mission.
Very touching. I have never doubted the sincerity of this man. There are almost no poilicies that I agree with the President on, save vetoing the tobacco tax and not pulling out of Iraq immediately. I always thought he was surrounded by buffoons that led him down some bad policy decisions, at home and abroad. However, as this letter shows, he is truly a compassionate man, and that he did not put our brave men and women in harm’s way capriciously. He endures a great emotional burden that will likely never leave him, which is a sign of someone who deeply cares.
I am glad that Pres. Bush read the letter and that he responded with a touching, heartfelt letter. When the Commander in Chief takes the time to write to an Aunt of a fallen soldier, I am proud. Eddie deserved all of that and more for laying down his life for his country. Our Father in Heaven has also taken notice as well and his Son is probably escorting Eddie around heaven right now. May God continue to comfort and lead you, Dave, in the future. We stand with you and our may our prayers bring healing and strength.
God Bless,
Cliff Jones
We posted Eddies letter on our blog
Thought you might like to read comments
A Heart Felt Message From a Now Fallen Soldier
http://mindlessandspineless.blogspot.com/2007/09/heart-felt-message-from-now-fallen.html
—
evry american that appear to be dead is t
we mourn is a dead body
they can kill a bosy never a soul
we can kill a body and a soul
evry anti american evry terrorist
be killed body and soul
this is t a believe its a fact i do not have the evidence
as we honnor the troops we honnor the families
i honnor the U.S
so we honnor david and miss jeffers as wel
alberto gorin
a.z.gorrin@chello.nl
do not be down and out or cry be bit happy
and honnor mark levin to
I heard about your blog on Mark Levin’s Friday show. So I had to visit!
I’ve been wanting to let you know for a long time (it seems like a long time) what a wonderful young man I think your son Sgt. Eddie was. So wonderful, in fact, we dedicated a Welcome the Troops Home event to him. We’re in southern California, and I’m the leader of the Men’s Ministry at our church (Cypress Church). We welcomed 150 troops back from Iraq on October 14, 2007 at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base. We had a big BBQ and desserts for them and their families — something General Combs, the CO of the Base, said had never been done in all his years there. We had a picture of Eddie on our flyer, and I told his story to many after having heard about his unfortunate death. I also told many people about your great faith — an example for all of us to emulate.
I would like to send you a copy of our flyer. Would you send me your email address?
God bless you, my friend. Carry on fighting the good fight, just like Eddie and Jesus want us to.
All the blessed,
Tom Langan