This Fourth of July will be much more special, and no doubt a little more sad, than previous Independence Days, for a particular family in Midland, Texas. Yesterday Maria and Daniel Ibarra said their final goodbye to their youngest son, Josue. Josue was critically injured by an IED explosion in Afghanistan this past Saturday. He died of his injuries within hours, on Sunday morning. His body was returned to Midland earlier this week and his funeral service was held yesterday.
When the jet landed at Midland International Airport, there were hundreds of people on hand, mostly strangers. A few people present were loved ones and friends of the fallen soldier, but most of the people there had never met him and probably would not have met him even if his life had not been cut short. But these people gathered at the airport to show their honor for this young marine and his sacrifice, and to show their love and support for his family.
On the day of the funeral, the Ibarra's church house was filled to overflowing with family, friends, and members of the community. Hundreds more people lines the street outside the church. After the service, the procession from the church to the cemetery was led by perhaps fifty police cars, and the funeral coach was escorted by the Patriotic Guard motorcycle club. As the procession passed through Midland heading south toward the cemetery, many hundreds of people lines the streets or stopped their vehicles and stood in respect as the procession went by. Many people waved American flags or had flags on their vehicles. It was a community coming together to support another family in the loss of their loved one to the War on Terror.
I too pay my respects to this young man, and add my condolences to the many said by the people of Midland. Josue was cut down in the prime of his life while serving his country, and even more, doing his assigned tasks in the face of clear and present danger. I personally do not agree with the "War on Terror," but that is not the point of this blog. Today I honor Josue for his sacrifice, and his willingness to be a Marine, knowing that this fate possibly waited for him and his colleagues. Josue knew that his life could be lost at any moment, but he did his job, and he was a Marine. His sister, Adriana, said it this way,“He joined the military because he believed in what our country was fighting for and that he was going to make a difference. He always thought that things could change and be better.”
A Marine, or any service man or woman, is expected to carryout his or her duties and obey his or her orders, under all conditions, including during forays directly into harm's way. That is easier said than done, however. But Josue, and many others like him, did indeed fully follow through on their orders; Josue did his duty, and paid the ultimate price - made the ultimate sacrifice. I know that his family is still hurting, and will hurt and be sad for some time to come. I know they will look at this Fourth of July with new eyes, feeling the direct impact of the sacrifice their son and brother made for all of us. Independence means freedom, but independence is certainly not free. So let us all honor Josue and the other heroes who are not with us in body this Fourth of July, and let us remember the sacrifice they made for liberty. But, equally important, let us take a few minutes at some point over the holiday, to honor the living soldiers who carry on in spite of seeing death all around them, in spite of watching their friends die in foreign lands and endless wars. For we who remain behind in the safety offered by this great nation can only do so as long as our young patriots, such as Josue, are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for Freedom.
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