Articles 7.14.2005

The Wilson Daily Times indicates that a U.S. Congressman read a poem on the floor of the House of Representatives that was written by fallen 2nd BCT soldier Cpl. Phillip C. Edmundson. Cpl. Edmundson, of the 1-9th, was killed on on 6.1.2005. The poem, which was also read at his funeral, is reprinted here:

"A Soldier's Reflections"
by Cpl. Phillip Edmundson

I was that which others did not want to be.
I went where others feared to go
and did what others failed to do.
I asked nothing from those who gave nothing
and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness ...
Should I fail, I have seen the face of terror;
Felt the stinging cold of fear;
and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's love.
I have cried, pained, and hoped ...
but most of all, I have lived times others would say
were best forgotten.
At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was ...
"A Soldier."
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The Colorado Springs Gazette reports on a memorial service held yesterday at Ft. Carson for 10 2nd BCT Soldiers. Staff Sgt. Jason Hendrix, Staff Sgt. Juan D. Garcia-Arana, Sgt. Larry Kuhns, Sgt. 1st Class Neil Prince, Spc. Anthony Kinslow, Spc. Nicolas Messmer, Staff Sgt. Thor Ingraham, Spc. Louis Niedermeier, Sgt. Antwan Walker, and Cpl. Phillip Edmundson were eulogized by fellow Soldiers during the ceremony at the Soldiers’ Memorial Chapel.
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Other articles from the region:
- Associated Press: Some Sunni Leaders Urge Community to Vote
- LA Times (reg req'd): New U.S. Envoy to Rethink Reconstruction
- Christian Science Monitor: Why Iraq oil money hasn't fueled rebuilding