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National Guard - Who are they? What are they. - Part Two -Georgia Fallen Heroes
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The National Guard: Always ready. Always there.
Who and what is the National Guard? How do they differ from other branches of the military services in the United States?
What would you think about blowing out the candles on a cake that represented 372 years? You would think one would not have the strength to blow; but not with the Army and Air National Guard - they are plenty strong, plenty proud, and plenty ready to blow out number 373.
More than a hundred years before the Declaration of Independence was signed, the men of the colonies banned together in 1636 to pledge their strength and support to one another's families and property in case of Indian attacks, renegades, or marauders and eventually against King George of England. Their weapons were few and but their resolve strong and their commitment unswerving. And today with the most sophisticated weaponry ever known to mankind, their commitment, loyalty, and honor is still unswerving. These original Militiamen (or Minutemen, so called because they had to be ready at a minute's notice to defend and protect their families and each other) are now called the American National Guard. Their motto: Always ready - Always there.
Four simple words that defines generations of men (and now women) who stand tall, stand ready, stand prepared to answer any call their nation may send forth - be it a hurricane or any other national disaster beyond the scope of the local people; or deployment to a foreign country to defend the freedom and rights of Americans or those deprived of freedom and human rights all over the world.
However, these are not regular day to day soldiers. They are working men and women in the private sector and are trained to be both citizen and soldier. They are civilians in peacetime and soldiers when called upon in wartime. They have been called Weekend Warriors because they train on weekends and designated times through out the year for longer periods of time. They have been called "Part-time" soldiers - but when called upon they give "part of nothing" they give their all.
This weekend - we here in Georgia - have experienced the great loss of three brave men who did not give part - but all. If before deployment, you had asked these three men what they did and they would have said, "We guard America."
When raising a flag in memorial, it is briskly raised to the top and then slowly lowered to half mast. Soldiers in the field erect 
their own memorials to their fallen with rifles, bayonet down, shoes at the base, and helmet on top of rifle. They go here to pray and to pay their respect to their comrades and their families. Now listed at the top of the most recent casualty list for Georgia are:
their own memorials to their fallen with rifles, bayonet down, shoes at the base, and helmet on top of rifle. They go here to pray and to pay their respect to their comrades and their families. Now listed at the top of the most recent casualty list for Georgia are:SPC Jeffrey W. Jordan, 21, of Rome, GA
MAJ Kevin M. Jenrette, 37, of Lula, GA N
SSG John C. Beale, 39, of McDonough GA
The link below will take you to a map of the US where you can check the casualties for your particular state. This list of fallen heroes here represent those who gave not part but all. It is dedicated to the memories of all those who gave their all since 9/11 until now.
Official web site of National Guard - http://www.arng.army.mil/Pages/Default.aspx
The Guard has a double commitment to both state and federal governments. They stand ready no matter the call to serve anywhere life or liberty is challenged to serve as law enforcement, rescue, or peace keeping. From those rag, tag farmers at Concord to the soldiers in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and all over the world, they care... they come. They are called from the safety and comfort of their own homes, away from the love and companionship of their families, and the financial security of their own jobs and careers. Tens of thousands of men and women stand ready to answer the call.
Less than a month ago, Jeffery Jordan, age 21 of Rome, GA; Kevin Jenrette age 37 of Lula, GA, and John Beale age 39 of McDonough answered that call as soldiers; but this weekend they were returned to Georgia as fallen heroes; but most importantly as sons, husbands, and fathers. These small towns honored their return with vigils alongside highways - but is that enough to repay these men for their ultimate sacrifice?
If you live in Rome, Lula, or McDonough or any surrounding county, there is more that you can do. If you own a bakery - take the family a cake - if you own a beauty shop - offer a free service to one of these wives - if you own an automobile shop - offer these women assistance to make sure their cars are in good working order - if you are a trusted neighbor offer to baby sit - what ever you have... share it with these families.
Don't stand around wringing your hands. While flag waving is moving and emotional for a while, these families need and deserve our help for a long time to come. After the funerals are past, this time will be over for the bystander; but the lives of these families will be affected forever. Parents and grandparents of these brave young men should be especially honored; because it was they who raised men of character - who stepped forward to protect their family and America.
Also, send a card to the family in care of their respective funeral homes. They all have agreed to forward them on to the families. Shower these families with your cards, letters, and notes and even a check if you can spare financial assistance. Do it today as good intentions and tomorrow's letters sometime never get done. Three dollars will buy a gallon of milk. These men leave behind six small children. Buy them a ticket to Six Flags - or simply offer to polish their shoes. How much will we spend on entertainment alone this weekend? Think of these children next Sunday - a Father's Day without a father is a sad thing any time.
Send cards to:
The family of Jeffery Jordan % of Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, 3002 Maple Road, Rome, Georgia 30161-6999. Jeffery was employed by the Floyd County Prison System.
The family of Kevin Jenrette % Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30504. Kevin was a full time officer in the Recruiting Sustainment Program.
The family of John Beale % Cannon-Cleveland Funeral Home, 2580 Highway 42 N - McDonough, Georgia 30253. John was employed by Clayton County Water Authority.
These men died a long way from home in Kapisa, Afghanistan and we have a hard time associating with such a place; but their families are here in Rome, Lula, and McDonough. When thinking about how to show your love to their families, think about what they gave for ours.
According to David Mercer of the Associated Press, the National Guard is training more men and women in casualty notification training; to be the bearer of the awful news to families who will see that uniform come up the walkway to hear that not just any soldier has fallen; but theirs. The plans now are for approximately 4,500 more National Guards to be sent to the battle front within the next month or so. When one such informer was asked about his job of telling the family, he said, "It feels like crap."
Who is the National Guard?
Song written and donated my James Rogers, country songwriter and singer says it all.
I Am the Guard
At Concord's bridge, I fired the fateful shot heard 'round the world. I bled on Bunker Hill. My footprints marked the snows at Valley Forge. With Washington on the heights of Yorktown, I saw the sword surrendered. I am the Guard.
These things I know - I was there! I saw both sides of the War Between the States - I was there! The hill at San Juan felt the fury of my charge; the far plains and mountains of the Philippines echoed to my shout. In France the dark forests of the Argonne blazed with my barrage; Chateau-Thierry crumbled to my cannonade.
I am the Guard.
I bowed briefly on the grim road at Bataan. Through the jungles and on the beaches I fought the enemy...beat, battered, and broke him. I scrambled over Normandy's beaches - I was there! I flew MiG Alley to the Yalu - I am the Guard!
I fought in the skies above Vietnam - I was there! In the skies and on the ground, I made the Arabian desert feel the fury of the storm. I am the Guard!
Civilian in peace, soldier in war...the stricken have known the comfort of my skill. I have faced forward to the tornado, the typhoon, and the horror of the hurricane and the flood. I saw the tall towers fall - I was there! I am the Guard
For three centuries the custodian of security and honor, now and forever...I am the Guard.
Yes you were, Jeffery, Kevin, and John - You were the Guard. And now you belong to the Heavenly Guard - where you will be guarded in the arms of angels until that glad reunion day when all of God's people will be united - to see war no more - never to be separated - and never for another family to know such pain. Yes you are the guard; and when it came to eternity - you were (always) ready - and you will (always) be there.
Just as your stormed the battlefront to prepare the way for others, you are not gone - but gone before.
God bless you all. Rest in peace - knowing that you did your part - and now it is time for us to do ours for your family in return for what you did for ours.
"Soldiers Angels" offers many, many ways you can help those still in the field, those wounded, and the families of our heroes. Be brave - step out - Google something and do something. This is not just the military's war - it is ours - the families of Georgia and the families of America. Put a yellow ribbon on a tree - visit a soldier's grave and put some flowers, seek out families of our fallen heroes and do what God leads you to do - but for heaven's sake - do something. Send a card to the families of these newest fallen heroes in care of the respective funeral homes - any school child can do that.
Pray for those sons and daughters who are still over there - let's us never forget that they are there for us. They are still filled with hopes of having their children return safe.
A quote from a mother who has a young son over there - "I was fortunate enough to be one of those folks lining the streets. It was both sobering and awesome to see the many police and motorcycle escorts with only their lights flashing. I don't think I could hear a sound when they came by, almost as if that were the only thing happening right then.
As a mother of a soldier, I have to try to separate my emotions and believe that I will never see the other side of this type of parade. God has given me a peace and I know I will see him again soon. Sue
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