It is with great personal sadness but joy in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that I announce the death of my son Eddie Jeffers. Eddie was killed around 7 am Iraqi time from an accidental vehicle roll-over. Although our personal loss is traumatic, we know he is in a better place. All of you have been so wonderful to my son and my family and he was so blessed and humbled by your love for him. He told me this past summer after the wonderful gift you gave his wife and him that he didn’t understand why people were so generous and kind to him. You see to Eddie, he was just doing his job and what he believed was his life mission from God.
I’ve said this often; Eddie was my hero. My dear brother in Christ Rod Martin told me that Eddie died a hero for not just the soldier he was but the person. Eddie, through his writing, touched so many people’s lives, yours and you so lovingly touched ours back.
We thank you in advance for your condolences and prayers. Please pray especially for Eddie’s wife Stephanie; as you can imagine she is devastated. Our prayer is that Eddie’s death will exalt Christ as did his life.
In lieu of any flowers we are asking all donations be given to the Fisher House in memory of Eddie; he loved that charity.
Love in Christ Jesus
The Jeffers Family
“Blessed be the Lord my Strength, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.†Psalm 144:1 (Eddie’s favorite Bible verse)
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
Our sympathies to your family Sir.
Dave, Chris and I were caught off guard by the news of Eddie’s passing. I sent an email to your office but realize you may not be back to work for a while. Our hearts break with you all and know we are here if there is anything you may need. Distance can’t break the relationship we have as Christians.
We will keep you in our thougts and our constant prayers, especially for Eddie’s wife. Eddie was a hero and although much of the news we see is negative, those of us who have lived the military life understand all the good that is happening and also his mature comments about fighting for the rights of even those who do not understand.
We love you guys and will call in a few days,
In Christ, the Carlson’s
God bless and keep you and your family, sir. Your son’s service to our country, and his personal service to God, are greatly appreciated. I was just reading over his letter that spree posted on our blog site, and I have to say, I was absolutely overwhelmed at the insights of this young man.
I can offer no words of comfort that you have not already heard, have not already had expressed to you, and that you do not already know within your heart; he is at peace, and he is safe. And, I believe, his message will live on, as we, and others, will continue to spread it for him, as an act of tribute, an act of thanks, and out of our eternal gratitude for him and for so many others of my brother and sister veterans who have paid the same price for our continued freedom.
God bless.
Prayers for your family and for your son. My husband and I have many friends and know of many children of friends that are serving in “harm’s way.”
I heard early in the day about the “rollover” accident, one of my best friends’ husband had been in Iraq, he’s now enroute home. The area, near where her husband was… I prayed for whomever it was, such a tragic event.
I have read some of your son’s writings and was touched.
May the thoughts, prayers and memories of all of us strengthen and help sustain you.
Dave, Karen and Stephanie,
Words cannot truly express how deeply sorry we are for your loss. I know that I had conveyed to Eddie just how much his letter had meant to me. I do not believe I have ever met such an inspiring young man before. Jenny the girls and I will be praying for you all.
Dave I am inspired by your words to the world and how positive you are of Eddie’s place with God. I know that he is rejoicing with our father and although we will misss him, we can all rejoice with you my brother in the knowledge that we will indeed see him again.
Stepahie, your husband was my hero. I have been in the service for 24 years and your husband taught me about compassion for our enemies. I will never forget the positive outlook Eddie had nor the enthusiam with which he served our great nation. May God truly bless you and give you comfort.
Dave and Karen, Jen and I stand ready to assist you with anything you may need. Your son was indeed a treasure. We will miss him. We ,as Iam sure are you, are very proud of the man Eddie was. Thank you for sharing him with us all.
Dear Jeffers family,
thank you for your sacrifice. I know the military is a thankless job these days but I am greatful for men like your son who give me the free easy life I live. I love you guys so much and I am praying for you. To God be the glory.
John 15:13
Dave, I too was floored as I read the news in the New Media Journal. My heart is saddened for yours, your family and Stephanie’s loss of Eddie. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I am forever grateful to you- to Eddie. God Bless you my brother. Thank you. Carolyn
It would be a blessing if you could publish Eddie’s articles again on this blog so that we could all read and remember and bless his soul. All my love to you Dave.
Your sis,
Mary (Minji)
Dear David,
My prayers are with your family, and that includes your daughter-in-law, Stephanie. They may not be adequate, but they are sincere. That is all I have to offer. I believe that prayers are mighty strong-no matter what.
Your words about your son have inspired me. When I first found out about your son’s reunion with the Father, I was numb. I, too, have read his words, and he was truly wise. I went from numb to angry, passing grief!
I have not served, but I tried to join in 1980. (I have glaucoma.) I have no one in my family who has ever served, except people I have never met. Yet I have adopted several young (and older) men, because I cannot sit on my bottom and do nothing. I pray for them every day and all day. I wish I had known your son. If only I could have prayed for him…but that is the denial.
It hurts so much to know that we have lost such a Godly man as he. Who am I to think that my prayers would have had more weight than yours?!
I guess what I’m trying to say is that I don’t know what to say or how to say it. I pray that lump in your throat stops hurting. I pray for God Peace for each of you. Phil. 4:2-6. Thank you for such a wonderful son. Have a nice day.
We promise to never forget your hero son.
May God Bless him and your family.
Love
Patti and Family
Soldiers Angels
May our Lord comfort you. Thank you Eddie for defending my family, way of life and Nation. You shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Dear Jeffers Family,
I am really sorry for your loss…
I read some of your sons articles and they were so brilliant! We all are thankful that such a man was walking with us and we all are sad that he is gone. He was such a blessing to the world, to all of us.
God Bless You All.
Dave & Family,
I was absolutely stunned to hear yesterday and am broken hearted over the loss of such a wonderful human being. When I had a moment last night I stopped crying and realized that the Lord had given me a great privilege by allowing Eddie and thus all of you to come into my life.
Hope Rides Alone has been next to my desk since it came out and will continue to be my inspiration throughout the days ahead.
May God hold you all in His loving arms always.
God bless you sir!
Your son is a hero who made a difference in the lives of many, many people. We will not let America forget his service and sacrifice on behalf of his country. The love and support of his family is buttressed with the love and support of a grateful citizenry.
I believe that the fruits of his labor in Iraq are worth noting, as seen by Michael Totten in Ramadi:
I was greeted by friendly Iraqis in the streets of Baghdad every day, but the atmosphere in Ramadi was different. I am not exaggerating in the least when I describe their attitude toward Americans as euphoric.
Grown Iraqi men hugged American Soldiers and Marines.
—————————————————————————–
The Iraqis of Anbar Province turned against Al Qaeda and sided with the Americans in large part because Al Qaeda proved to be far more vicious than advertised. But it’s also because sustained contact with the American military – even in an explosively violent combat zone –convinced these Iraqis that Americans are very different people from what they had been led to believe. They finally figured out that the Americans truly want to help and are not there to oppress them or steal from them. And the Americans slowly learned how Iraqi culture works and how to blend in rather than barge in.
“We hand out care packages from the U.S. to Iraqis now that the area has been cleared of terrorists,†one Marine told me. “When we tell them that some of these packages aren’t from the military or the government, that they were donated by average American citizens in places like Kansas, people choke up and sometimes even cry. They just can’t comprehend it. It is so different from the lies they were told about us and how we’re supposed to be evil.â€
I believe heroes like Sgt. Jeffers are making a huge difference in this world- for the better!
Thank you, Eddie Jeffers. May God look after those you left behind.
Dave,
Your son was a true hero, a man of honor who defended his country against all enemies foreign and domestic; which is to say, a man just like his dad.
Thank you for sharing him, with all of us. He made a difference.
We love you,
Rod
Dear Dave,
Though our hearts are broken for your loss, be assured that Eddie walks with the heroes of the faith now. Just as his loyal service here had important purpose in this life, his eternal service will make heaven an even better place.
Thank you for raising such a God-fearing son. Only God can know the impact of such a life. He reflected his Father in heaven, as well as his earthly Father. Well done all good and faithful servants.
Yours’ humbly, in Christ, with love,
Sherri
I am deeply saddened that you are having to deal with a loss such as this. But as Tina says; “At least he died doing something he wanted to do and something that he believed in.” He will definitely be missed. He gave the ultimate sacrifice trying to make someone else’s life better. God Bless you. Uou and your family are in our prayers.
Dear Brother David and family,
I was deeply saddened to recieve your email announcing your son’s death. I have been deeply moved by your son’s writing. It is so honest, powerful, real and thought provoking. I was moved to write the following poem to honor your son. I have emailed it to you, but I though maybe it would bring some comfort to others, and possibly help us all remember to honor and support our military.
May your son rest in peace, his hope now realized, no longer alone, but in the arms of his Savior,
Cliff Jones
Eddie Rides With Jesus
In a dangerous, deadly, hostile land,
Rode a brave and courageous man.
He fought evil and despair,
Around every corner, everywhere.
He had ideals, dreams and goals,
Keeping his men alive and whole.
Sgt. Eddie loved his brave men,
And fought to get them home again.
He wrote from his heart so deep,
From his pain and made us weep,
For the truth he penned cut like a knife,
To the heart and soul of American life.
We suffer not as our soldiers die,
We go on our way and pass by,
The crippled veteran, the sad bride,
Whose husband bled and died.
Our soldiers give their blood, their life,
In an effort to end the horrible strife,
Should not we support and care for them,
As they fight to protect us from harm?
Let us change! Start something new!
Show our troops we love them too!!
Let’s get off our duffs, get busy now,
And show them we know when and how!
Send them cards, cookies and cheer,
Do it from our hearts and sincere.
Love them and let them know we care,
In every way, and all through the year!!
Sgt. Eddie has not died in vain,
His cause is ours, we will remain,
Faithful to the dreams he held so dear,
Freedom, freedom both far and near.
Sgt. Eddie has left the scene,
He rests with Jesus, so serene,
His duty done, in a distant land,
His hope has reached a peaceful end.
Eddie’s hope no longer rides alone,
He rides with Jesus, no more groans,
His head held high, feeling joy unbounded,
Through streets of gold with angels surrounded.
We miss you Eddie, wish you were here,
But we know God has called you up there.
Rest well Eddie, your mission is completed,
God’s love for you will never be depleted.
Father in Heaven, Please hold Eddie close to your heart,
Comfort him for us, even though we are apart.
Thanks for the years he lived with us too,
May his life bring great glory and honor to you.
We ask this in the Powerful Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and by his shed blood, in the Power of the Holy Spirit, Amen and Amen
Cliff Jones September 19, 2007
Your son will never be forgotten,
We are all very saddened by your loss of Eddie. Please know that you and your family are in thoughts and prayers.
God Bless,
Anna
Soldiers’ Angels
I am so sorry for your loss..
This man was a hero to the 100th degree..
Dear Jeffers family,
There are no words from me that could ever relief you of the worst possible pain any individual could ever receive, the notification that a dear child has lost his life. Your son’s letter home to you found its way to the talk radio airwaves and forever into the hearts of freedom loving people, not only in our country but all over the world. When Mark Levin first read his stirring ‘HOPE RIDES ALONE’ letter over the air, I was inspired by the sincerity of his passionate message.
My admiration of your precious son, Sgt. Eddie Jeffers is boundless. He will not be forgotten. My family and I extend our deepest heartfelt sympathies to you and the entire Jeffers family.
God Bless you in this time of unimaginable sorrow.
Don Gallerani and family
My sincere condolences to Eddie’s family. When Eddie first wrote Hope Rides Alone, it was definitely getting passed around the ‘net. I also made sure to pass it along. I will definitely get his message…along with Frank Salvato’s tribute to him, out as much as I can. I will also put it on the Mid-South Patriot website (the newspaper I am with here in Memphis):
http://www.freewebs.com/midsouth-patriot.
I salute Eddie, and he will be missed.
Prayers and love…..from my heart.
David…
I had corresponded with you after reading Eddie’s article, “Hope Rides Alone”…but I know that you have corresponded with many and I don’t expect you to remember me. I just heard of Eddie’s death and just wanted to add my condolences. He was a brave young American hero. He will forever be remembered for the way he lived his life and the way he gave his life for his country and his countrymen.
God bless you and your family during this time of grieving. You will be in my prayers. May God wipe the tears from your eyes for one of these days we will definitely see Eddie in heaven.
With Heartfelt Sympathies…
Col. ( USA ret.) and Mrs. Buddy Wheat …(Gayle)
PS…Like you, David, my husband went from serving as a soldier in the USArmy to serving as a soldier in God’s Army. On August 26th he was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church. God bless your ministry. You have so much to give and I know you have already reached thousands through your ministry and your love of Jesus Christ.
There will be people in heaven because of the leadership and influence of your wonderful Christ loving son and who was a true American Hero. I heard his letter read on the Mark Levine show this afternoon. I was jotting down Eddie’s name to write him and to let him know there are Americans that are grateful for his service to our nation. Then an emotional Mark Levine announced that your son was killed last week. The callers are responding to the reading of the letter as I write this. I and many others were brought to tears of sadness and admiration of this young, insightful American Hero. God Bless You and Eddie’s whole family. God Bless America!
Lori Mullen
To the Jeffers Family,
As a Gold Star Dad, I understand the pain you are feeling now. When I saw that Eddie’s favorite verse was the same as my son’s (Psalm 144:1), I couldn’t help but feel a connection. Our sons made a difference in this world, both by their lives and by their deaths. They are heroes and patriots.
We appreciate your son’s service. We will not forget him.
May God bestow His comfort on you. May God bless the USA.
Gary Strader
To the Jeffers Family:
I am currently serving in Iraq. It always takes a little out of all us serving when a comrade falls serving his country. My prayers are with you and your family. Know this, there are thousands of soliders in Iraq that see what we are fighting for and know there Iraq is worth fighting for and saving. Taking the battle to the enemy keeps us from fighting it on our own soil. Progress is made each day. I see aircraft patroling the skies, often times arriving back with armanent, meaning they did NOT have to use it today. 2 years ago, this would not have happened! So please, don’t be disheartened by what you hear on the media or some uneducated, biased, person shouting that the war is a waste and a mistake. Your son’s duties have made a difference in the results of Iraq.
I did not know your son, but I am sure he was one of the many soliders that not only understood what we are doing out here but fought justly and in faith.
Again, my prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
SrA John Mutnansky
Thank God there are men like your son with a brave heart and soul protecting our families in America. May God watch over you in this time of grief and continue to honor your prayers…
The world has lost a great soul. I never knew Eddie but I feel a sadness with his passing, his words have left a mark in my memory and he will be remembered as a hero.
As a fellow solider’s wife, it is with a knot in my throat and a grip on my heart that I send my condolences to you, the parents, wife and family of Sgt. Jeffers. Praise be to God that you have a hope that goes beyond today. May HE comfort you as only HE knows how. May HIS strength be your rear guard. Mr. & Mrs. Jeffers – Thank you for raising such a fine American Hero. Stephanie, my heart goes out to you as you loved, supported and completed him as a wife. As we pray in one accord for God to continue to be glorified by this man, husband, son, solider, follower of Christ through his life & sacrifice, for your comfort, and for HIS quick return and your reunion…
I Thess. 4:13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.
Pressing Onward Toward the Goal,
Karen Mutnansky
Brownsburg, IN
Eddie I know that you are up there in heaven watching over your mother Tina and your wife Stephanie. I miss you so much I wish there was a way to let you know how much we miss you but I know that you are looking out for us everyday. We love you very much. My prays are with your family .
To the Jeffers Family,
As a mother of a soldier, my heart aches for what your going through. Praise the Lord though that your son lived a life dedicated to the Lord and to this country. He is truly a hero and I pray that the Lord will comfort you now and in the days ahead. Know your in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all!!!!!
In His service,
Dawn Lents
To our extended family,
We as brats have a common bond that no one else shall ever know. The years we grew to know each other through hardships and foreign strife brought us together and hold us together.
Having spent time at both FAJHS and FHS in the 60’s and 70’s I can only envision the person that Eddie was. The amount of e-mails that passed on the various brat sites clearly indicate the love and hurt that is being experienced by all that knew him and that knew of him.
May God bless you for your sacrifice and always remember that Eddie now dwells in the House of the Lord and watches over all of you.
I am so very sorry to hear about this. I saw one of Eddie’s writings from February on Soldier’s Angels, on the forum, and when I saw at the end that it was edited to announce his death, my heart sank. He sounds like a wonderful young man. May God bless you always. You raised an amazing youg man, a hero.
Mr and Mrs Jeffers,
I am deeply saddened by the loss of your son. He was truly a brave hero, an inspiration, one who did not die in vain but will always be remembered. He now guards the gates of Heaven.
God bless our troops.
I am so sorry to read about your loss. I received Sgt. Jeffers letter in an email circulating the nation right now. Everything he shares is true and I speak from my time spent out there. I am glad Sgt. Jeffers words can be heard through numerous channels and that he took a bold step forward at such a young age to state things like they are. I am sorry about losing such a wonderful man but we have gained another angel looking out for us on earth. Semper Fi. from a Former Marine.
Let us not stop the fight…first the fight that we face every day, as Christians, against the enemy of our souls, but also the fight against these enemies of our nation and of all freedom loving people…terrorists identified not by nationality, nor by language, nor by social status, but by a heart that hates all that is good and even the true God Himself. Let us not stop the fight in Iraq to help a people who have been oppressed for so many years. To leave would be to abdicate our responsibilities to finish what we started. Yes, we as a nation haven’t always gone into the fray to defend the rights of peoples around the world because it wasn’t “in our national interest.” I offer no excuses for that lack of action, but we now stand for what is right and honest and just. Should the tide be turned, how would we feel to hear news of the Iraqi people discussing withdrawing their troops from America and leaving us not fully prepared to defend ourselves against the hundreds and thousands of terrorists and insurgents that had already horribly taken the lives of perhaps hundreds of thousands of Americans and thousands of Iraqi troops. If we could be there, could we honestly look into the eyes of the innocent Iraqi people and tell them that we’re just too burdened right now and need to leave them alone to defend themselves? Could we face our Lord, on that Day, and honestly say that we knew we did the right thing? He has already told us what true religion is, “…to defend the rights of orphans and widows in their oppression and to keep oneself unspotted by the world.” He didn’t say only Christian orphans and widows. Eddie gave his all for our nation, the Iraqi people, but most of all for our Lord Jesus. Let’s continue Eddie’s legacy of love and devotion and work to show those of evil and wicked hearts that Americans and Christians are nothing like the devilish lies that they are choosing to believe about us. Eddie is a true man of God and a hero. We salute you Eddie and your parents who led and guided you in the faith. A faith that is now (I’m sure) bearing fruit in places like Iraq where people of different cultures and nationalities can’t hide behind an opaque wall of lies and say that Christians (Americans) are out for anything else but to help and to love them. I am not naive. I know that there are many whose hearts are set on satisfying their flesh, in whatever form that may be. But we are still a nation that has been ordained by God Almighty and He wants the world to see what He is like by what we are like to the world. Let’s continue the fight in Iraq or wherever the need may be. If not, the fight will move closer and closer to our very shores. We love you, Eddie. Thanks for everything that you’ve done for our nation and for Jesus!
I am humbled and honored with what your son and all our fighting men and women do for our country and our freedoms. May God bless you all in your time of sorrow and need.
May God bless all those doing their part at home and abroad. “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)
Sir, words cannot express my deep appreciation for yours and your son, Eddie’s sacrifice.
Rest easy; well done, good and faithful servant!
Dear Mr Jeffers,
I read your son’s post on another site, it was well written and to the point. He was a good writer and no doubt a great soldier. He lived for a cause and was brave enough to die for it – he and the thousands of others who bravely gave their lives for America’s security, will live forever in the minds of true Americans and in the annals of history as a true American patriot.