One Soldier’s Death…
[SPECIAL NOTE - I wrote this story in August of last year. It started a chain reaction that led all the way to the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan. I received letters from our soldiers who read it. That interaction turned into something we dreamed up called "The Wave of Gratitude" which involved tens of thousands of people all over the country all at once changing their Facebook and Twitter status bars to say thank you to our troops. If you want to see that genesis, you can click on the Military tab in the menu and keep scrolling back to the very beginning. This article used to sit there. It seemed only right to revisit Rebecca, Carlos and the girls on Memorial Day. God bless our military families.]
How I came to be the journalist picked to write this story is an interesting side bar itself and I will write about that at a later date. I think it’s interesting to note this fact: Four soldiers from North Carolina were killed in action on June 29, 2009. One of those four is becoming the first North Carolina National Guardsmen on record to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery… and only one North Carolina TV station, cable News 14, bothered to show up… and not even one North Carolina Newspaper.
![Rebecca Baldeosingh interviewed for News 14 [photo by Tec. Sgt. Brian Christiansen]](http://stopandsmellthepeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/bc1.jpg?w=300 "BC1")
Rebecca Baldeosingh interviewed for News 14 -photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Christiansen
Chapter 1: ONE LONG DATE
As she talked in her hotel room a few hours after the burial, Rebecca Baldeosingh was flooded with memories of the wonderful times she and Carlos had together… “Mardi Gras!” She blurted out, laughing. “That was the best one of all! If Carlos were here he would tell you!” Then she got a little quiet. Her smile fell and she stared past me and said softly, “He was supposed to come home from Iraq for a family vacation in July. I was really looking forward to that.”
Rebecca grew up in Warren, Ohio, a broken down steel mill town with very little going for it other than the good people who stay and try to make a life of it. Not long after high school, Rebecca’s sister asked her to move to Jacksonville, North Carolina, and see how she liked it.
At a steak house one night in Jacksonville, Rebecca saw Carlos from across the restaurant and asked who he was. The next night Rebecca saw him again and this time he saw her… and that was that. He asked her out. They went on a date. And they never stopped dating. Even through marriage and three kids. Rebecca said, “We just clicked. It was as if we were meant to be. I loved being with him.”
Carlos & Rebecca Baldeosingh
The fact that he was a marine didn’t faze her. Rebecca’s dad is a marine. Her sister is married to a marine. When she saw Carlos for the first time, he was a marine. It’s not by chance “military families” get that nickname. The military is a way of life.
I asked Rebecca why Carlos enlisted in the National Guard after he left the Marines and built a civilian life. “Because he wanted to serve in Iraq,” Rebecca said matter-of-factly, “He never got to go to Iraq as a marine.” It was like an itch he had to scratch. Even though he’d been out for a few years and found a great job managing the security and safety team for Carteret Hospital in Morehead City… Carlos had to go back. Every day on his way to and from work he stared at the National Guard office directly across the street from the hospital. One day after work he made the decision that would become the first link in a sequence of events that ended on June 29, 2009 in Iraq. A day in which he called his wife to talk just hours before he was sent on a fateful mission into Baghdad.
Chapter 2: THE LAST TIME THEY TALKED
Rebecca’s metallic pink cell phone went off like an alarm in the middle of the night on June 29. She sleepily grabbed at it. On the other end of the line it was Carlos. Even with the time difference, he had never called in the middle of the night before. “He sounded different this time. Like he was distracted,” Rebecca said. The two talked about all the normal things… how the girls were doing and about his R&R coming up–Carlos would be home and in Rebecca’s arms in just two weeks. And he desperately missed his little girls. Isabella and Kylie are 5-year-old twins and Emily, the baby, is two. But still he sounds odd to her. Before they hang up Carlos tells her he’s heading out for a mission in Baghdad in a few hours and then he adds that he’s “nervous.” Carlos Baldeosingh is not a man who gets “nervous.” He was a marine. Ask anyone in the
Sgt. Carlos Baldeosingh in Iraq.
military. Ask sailors, or airmen or a soldier in the Army, they’ll tell you flat out that marines are “bad-asses.” This is saying something because each branch of the armed forces makes fun of the others. But when the talk turns to combat, no one jokes about the marines. They’re the toughest of the tough. The bravest of the brave. The first ones in and the last ones out. When a marine feels hinkie about a mission, there’s a reason. And that’s why Rebecca can remember that last conversation word for word, like it happened ten minutes ago.
Not long after Rebecca and Carlos said their “I love yous” and hung up, the Humvee carrying Carlos and three other soldiers from his guard unit was hit by an IED (improvised explosive device) in Baghdad. All four were killed. It was the last day American soldiers would occupy Baghdad. It was June 29th. The day Americans handed back the keys of Baghdad to Iraqi security forces. It was the last day of Carlos Baldeosingh’s life. He was 30 years old.
Chapter 3: REBECCA’S PREMONITION
Carlos got his premonition the day of his death. That’s why he called Rebecca in the middle of the night. Rebecca got her premonition months earlier. It was the day Carlos shipped out. “We hugged for a long time and as he walked away I had this sickening feeling,” she confided, “A voice inside me said ‘this is the last time I will ever see him.’” Naturally she never spoke those words to another soul. Who would? She did what anyone would do in that situation: she shook it off. She figured it was just the crazy thoughts that happen to every military spouse. So she pressed on with her day and her very busy life.
Because you go on. You just do. It’s part of being an Army wife. Beyond the responsibility of raising her three little girls and spending time with her mom and dad across town… Rebecca looks out for other Army families. She helps run the Family Readiness Group (FRG) for Company A, 120th Combined Arms Battalion (that’s her husband’s unit). One of the many goals of the FRG is to help military families cope with the anxieties that inevitably come with deployments. Rebecca was there for anyone who had a need. On this deployment it as Rebecca who felt the anxiety.
The two men in military uniforms walking up her drive on June 30th turned Rebecca’s anxiety into a numb empty feeling every Army wife dreads most.
Chapter 4: “ARE YOU THE WIFE OF SGT. JUAN CARLOS BALDEOSINGH?”
Rebecca felt “crappy” when she woke up on June 30th. She wasn’t sick but just felt out of it. So she didn’t go ahead with plans to take the girls swimming. Rebecca told the girls she didn’t have the energy and they were going to stay home. It was unusual for this reason: Rebecca is a ball of energy. She’s outgoing and funny and the one person you can always count on to be up. But this Tuesday just wasn’t going to be a normal Rebecca type of day.
At 1:30 in the afternoon she saw a car driving very slowly around her cul de sac 30 miles east of Camp Lejeune. It appeared to Rebecca that someone was lost. She knew every car on her street and this was not a “local.” But then the driver parked directly in front of her house. Two military men got out of the car. They started walking up her driveway. Rebecca froze. She started breathing heavily… and under her breath, she cussed in anguish.
Sgt. Carlos Baldeosingh
One of the men tapped on her front door. Rebecca didn’t answer. However, the tapping was simply out of courtesy. The men were staring right at a silent Rebecca through the glass door. They asked, “Are you the wife of Sgt. Juan Carlos Baldeosingh?” Rebecca still didn’t answer. “Ma’am please let us in?” She shook her head no as tears welled up in her eyes and she started to shake. She rationalized in her mind that maybe Carlos is just injured and that’s why they’re here.
Rebecca finally opens the door. But she remembers nothing after that. It’s all a big blank. Even as she tries to recount the details of what was said she keeps correcting herself and then tells me, “I’m sorry. I can’t remember.” She’s not fibbing to get out of this conversation. She’s not that type. But when someone sits you down and tells you your best friend, your lover, your husband and the father of your children was killed yesterday your body and mind sort of go into shock.
Your thoughts race in a hundred directions at once. They must be mistaken. How will I tell the children? I just spoke with him yesterday! What do I do? Who do I call first? The girls will be crushed! How will we survive? Dear God NO!
People will be talking right to you and you might even nod and say “uh-huh” but you can’t hear them. And so it was for Rebecca. She remembers nothing from a conversation she’ll never be able to forget.
Chapter 5: WHISPERING GOODBYE TO DADDY
From June 29 to August 2, Rebecca and her girls Isabella, Kylie and Emily have had no one to say goodbye to… 34 days with no casket to look at… no place to focus their grief.
Getting a soldiers body from Baghdad to the United States is no simple task it seems. But on August 3, the casket carrying Carlos Baldeosingh was finally waiting in Arlington, Virginia. Rebecca was warned: it is a bad idea to have the casket opened for her. She didn’t care. She wants to see her husband regardless of his condition. The casket is opened and she is left alone with her husband.
For two solid hours she talked and laughed and cried. Told him everything she felt. Told him stories about the girls and how proud he would be of them. She yelled at him and cried to him and repeated over and over how he was the love of her life and how she misses him every second of every day.
(Left to right) Kylie, Isabella and Emily meet Mr. Mike –Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Christiansen
Then she reached into a bag and pulled out some photos of the girls and placed them on Carlos’ heart. On top of the pictures she placed three letters she wrote for him to take to heaven. And on top of the letters, pictures the girls colored with crayons. Kylie and Isabel, the twins, insisted on it. They wanted their daddy to be proud because they had finally learned to stay in the lines.
Later that night before the wake at Murphy Funeral Home in Arlington, VA, Rebecca brought the girls to see their father’s casket for the first time. She told them that this is where daddy’s body will sleep forever now. The girls leaned in close and lifted the American flag draped over the coffin and softly talked to their daddy. Three little girls whispering, “I love you” one last time.
The girls whisper goodbyes to daddy –Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Christiansen
Chapter 6: ON SACRED GROUND
Arlington National Cemetery can be overwhelming on a day when you’re here as a tourist. On August 4th it put chills down the spine of a General in 90-degree heat.
Horse drawn caisson carrying Sgt. Carlos Baldeosingh's remains –Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Christiansen
When Major General William Ingram Jr. knelt down if front of a sobbing Rebecca Baldeosingh, It appeared he might not get through this. He was visibly shaken by the sadness of this day.
Arlington is a sacred place to most Americans. 300-thousand white marble tombstones sweeping over the gentle slopes of this one-time farm that overlooks the Potomac River and the mighty National Mall.
When the military bury their dead, it’s done with great dignity and meaning. The riderless horses, the 21-gun-salute, the bugler off in the distance playing the haunting and familiar refrain of Taps. Every detail is powerful, moving and precise.
By 9:15 AM the horse drawn caisson carrying Sgt. Carlos Baldeosingh’s remains made it’s way down York Drive under a canopy of giant oaks and stopped in front of an empty grave. As you look off to the left and right of the flag draped casket you see standing at attention, all around you, thousands of white marble tombstones.
General Ingram places the flag in Rebecca's hands –Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Christiansen
It was a dramatic and emotional ceremony. But what happened near the end caught everyone off guard. The General had to give the flag from the casket to Rebecca. As he knelt down in front of her and presented the flag she burst into tears. It became clear to everyone that the general was also struggling with his emotions.
This is where it hit everyone. The General wasn’t going through the motions. This wasn’t just another military function for him to attend. This was a very powerful moment and he knew it. Carlos Baldeosingh died for each of us. He enlisted, he served, he followed orders because he wanted to protect his country. The gift of this flag is the symbol of a grateful nation. So as he handed one to Rebecca and thanked her… and then he handed a second one to 2-year-old Emily Baldeosingh and thanked her for giving up her father… and another to Kylie and another to
General Ingram places the flag in Rebecca
Isabella, even the Marines in the crowd of about 150 family and friends were wiping tears from their eyes.
That evening, many hours after the burial, family and friends were all headed back to their homes around the country. Rebecca and her girls didn’t go home. They went back to Arlington National Cemetery and sat at the foot of daddy’s grave and talked. See, going home won’t feel like it used to for a long time to come. For now, this is home. This sacred ground where daddy will sleep forever.
[SPECIAL NOTE - 11/11/2009 - Want to show your appreciation for our troops, catch the Gratitude Wave. Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at noon EST, change your Facebook status or Tweet words of gratitude for our military men and women and veterans. Read more about our efforts by clicking here!]
Rebecca and her girls... one last goodbye –Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Christiansen
Mike, thank you for the gift of story, to tell all of us the story needed to be told about a very special group of individuals who give all and the families there with them. Continue to tell people’s stories…
Mike:
This is one hell of a great story. I am friends of one of Carlos’ friends and have been watching this unfold from California each step of the way.
I am in utter amazement of how strong Rebecca is and how the lives of the children will be altered.
I cannot begin to understand the courage and faith that would be required to manage myself and my three young children’s lives from this position.
I only hope the world can share in the emotional journey of Carlos, Rebecca and the girls with true gratitude and empathy.
For the work you have done with this piece, I would vote for the highest merit for a journalist. Just brilliant.
God bless Rebecca, Carlos and the girls.
Humbly, in the vineyard of the lord.
David
There are no other adequate words but thank you for telling this story.
Thank you, Mike. May God’s peace surround them today and everyday.
Thank you for telling their story.
Thank you Mike.
So I’m sitting at my desk balling my eyes out…thanks for writing such an incredible story and putting things into perspective. I hope that Kylie, Isabel and Emily will remember and be reminded what a Hero their dad was.
Thank you Mike! Words cannot express the thankfulness I have in my heart for this military families that give it all to protect our families. God be with Rebecca and her girls. Thank you!
I can only echo what everyone else has already said. There is nothing left to add but thank you for telling the story and again, my thoughts and prayers are with Rebecca and her girls as they continue on this journey.
-Melanie
Mike,
Thank you for another amazing story. Once again, I am moved to tears by the incredible courage of Carlos, Rebecca and her beautiful daughters. Thank you for not allowing Carlos to become another statistic – another unknown casuality of a war so far away. Shame on us for not feeling this emotional everytime we hear the news of a soldier’s death.
I pray that the leaders of our country will find a way to bring all of our military home before another family is forced to say good bye too soon.
May God bless all of our soldiers, thier families, thier friends and the memories of those that have paid the ultimate price for our furtures.
Mike, thank you for bringing this story to us.
Rebecca, Isabella, Kylie and Emily, thank you for allowing Mike to share your story.
What an awesome story and what an awesome storyteller! Thank you for being the one to remind us of what these families have given to keep us free. Maybe one day we can all respect such sacrifices. You put words where there were no words…..thank you.
No words Mike… just tears…
Thank you for this.
I have no words only tears.
As a military wife, this is every woman’s fear when sending her husband off to serve. Bless this family.
Thank you Mike for telling this story. Praying for Rebecca and the girls.
What a great tribute to one so young but one so brave to fight for freedom. Please share with us if there is anything we can do to help Rebecca and the girls. My prayers are with all of Carlos’ family.
Thank you for telling this.
I tried to read this at work. I could not….I will finish it at home, in private. Thank you Mike Redding.
a tough article to read, but you did a fantastic job putting it into words…
While I think it is a shame that no North Carolina news outlet covered this, I’m sure Rebecca will forever be grateful that you cared enough to get to know her family and use your blog to share the story of Carlos’ love for his country and his family. Thank you, Mike, for giving us another great look into other people’s lives.
Thanks Mike.
Mike.
I read this and thought amazing! You captured all my emotion and told my families story with dignity, and respect. Carlos would have been thrilled with the words you wrote. I knew you would do a fantastic job in spreading our story.
I am so happy you came. This has been the worst 34 days of my life but your story and Brians pictures make this time easier. Thank you again for your kind story and wonderful words.
Thank you all for your continued support and prayers for me and my children.
With thanks and love,
Rebecca Baldeosingh
Mike….thank you for telling about the experience Rebecca, her children, family and friends are going through. No one should have to go through what they have but the compassion and the parts of YOUR soul that you openly displayed to give us insight into their world is so admirable Mike. Thank you.
Prayers are with the Baldesosingh family, the families of the other 3 NC guardsman that lost their lives that day and the thousands that gone on before them, those who put themselves in harms way for our nation every moment.
This is an amazing story. I am a soldier in the 30 brigade which Sgt. Carlos Baldeosingh was in as well. I was not in his unit but we still all wear the same patch… and the same flag. So it hits us hard when we hear of a fallen brother or sister. It hits us harder when its someone with in our unit or sister unit. But not until reading this story did it fully hit me.
I can honestly say that you have a soldier sitting in Iraq right now reading this and crying. I’m not ashamed nor am I hiding this because I do not think there is even one of my brothers here who will think any less of me or not break down themselves after reading this.
I wanted to thank you for writing this. I want to thank his wife and children for giving there ultimate sacrifice and let them know that every heart out here goes out to them. As a married soldier I know I would love to know that my wife had the support Rebecca is getting now. I want to thank every person who has supported us because without you we would not be able to go from day to day. With your care packages and letters and everything you do we are able to wake up and put our boots on counting down until we can once again be with the ones we love… until the next time we are asked to do what many can not or will not: fight for this country so that our children will not have to.
So to everyone thank you! To this fallen brothers wife, he has not died in vain and he will not be forgotten… EVER!
The pictures taken and words written show what a big heart you both have. Keep doing what you do. As one of the four sisters I am so grateful you were the two picked to do our our stories. They are amazing you really caught the honor of it all . This is very comforting to us all.
For my readers, this comment is from one of the “four sisters.” That’s what the four wives of the soldiers killed together on June 29 call themselves.
To Tammie, all of my readers and I are praying for you and your family as you work through this tragedy.
Please know you are not alone,
Mike
Cody,
You are a hero to all of us. I am one of those who just wouldn’t be able to do what you do. Your inner strength and courage astounds me. It touches me how militray brother and sisters care for one another. The honor and dignity with which you carry yourselves is an inspiration to the world.
Please know you are not forgotten. The world media may be onto the next celebrity death but the rest of us are praying for you every night as we thank God for your sacrifice.
Godspeed,
Mike
Mike,
Your coverage of Carlos’ passing was perfect. Thank you for coming to his services and taking the time to share his story with the public. Carlos has been my best friend since high school. In the simplest of words, he was the best. I only wish that you got to know him firsthand.
-Christian
PS – Tech. Sgt. Brian Christiansen’s photos are beautiful. Is there any way I could contact him for a copy or would you be able to e-mail me one? Thank you so much.
Mike thank you for carring enough to take this assignment and doing such a great job. I am Cody’s father-in-law and pray for our troops every day, thank you to all of our soldiers everywhere that are helping to keep us safe. God bless all the families of our soldiers as well. Stand tall soldiers we love and pray for safe return for all of you, thank you again Mike.
Mike,
I just now was able to read ALL of your daily blogs about your journey and Carlos’ life!! I can’t put into words what it means as Carlos’ wife to say thank you a million times over. I had to stop several times because I started to cry, but knowing me I kept right on going to see what else you wrote! Every blog I got chills that just would not go away and so that is why I am writing you again!
I just got home from Arlington. I have met so many amazing people who have family members in Section 60 of the cemetery. I am planning on 2 trips in September: One when the girls have their school break and the second to go to a rememberence day on the 24-26!
I was sad to leave Carlos… but he will be well taken care of until I get back! I am so glad that your words have reached the soldiers in Iraq! You are an amazing person and again I am just so proud of the story you wrote!
Words cannot express our family’s gratitude for your time and dedication to Carlos and the story that you have told so eloquently.
Keep up the good work!
we came from a small farming community in ohio to attend Carlos funeral,he was our sons brother-in-law. we came away humbled and so sad,the tears of Rebecca ,whom we have known since she was a little girl along with her girls and the sobs of Carlos’mother will remain with us forever.May Gods peace be upon all of them,and may He renew them with His strength. Gordon and Floye Myers
What an incredible piece. I am overwhelmed by pride, sadness, admiration and a shared grief for Rebecca and her family. God bless them! I will be praying for the family. And thank you for this window into the real world of our amazing military community. We are truly the home of the free because of the brave.
To Mrs. Baldeosingh, the soldiers here at Mahmudiyah share your grief. God bless you.
Mike Redding, you have done an outstanding job of expressing the joys, sorrows, fears, and all of the myriad of colors of human emotions in painting a family portrait that was torn by war: the story of Carlos and Rebecca Baldeosingh and their daughters.
The incredibly poignant photographs by Tech. Sgt. Brian Christiansen, capture these delicate and private moments in the lives of the Baldeosingh family. Thank you for your talent in conveying the depths of Sgt. Baldeosingh’s sacrifice.
My son, Sgt. Thomas Tharrington, is in the 1/120th CAB, Bravo Company, but currently assigned to Delta Company. He had sent me messages about the loss of their four men of the 1/120th on June 29, as well as his photos of their memorial service in FOB Mahmudiyah,Iraq.
Standing in for Thomas, I attended the visitation and funeral for SFC. Ed Kramer in Wilmington. I introduced myself to Mrs. Vicki Kramer as a 1/120th CAB Mom, and that my son knew her husband for a few years. I mentioned the photos Thomas had made of their service, which he had submitted to “In Memory of Edward Kramer” Facebook page.
Two other ladies standing nearby wanted to know more. They were two of the four sisters, Rebecca Baldeosingh and Tammie Bittiker.
I was honored and humbled, to meet three such amazing women, whose examples of faith, courage, grace, and dignity were inspiring to me and to so many others. Not a day goes by that I don’t reflect on their spirit, courage, and strength: they give me the ability to cope with the stress, fear, anxiety of having a son in Iraq.
These three women, and the others of the Family Readiness Group, through e-mail, letters, and phone calls, make the parents, spouses, siblings, and children of our deployed citizen soldiers more able to cope with their soldier’s conspicuous absence. I thank them for continuing to work within FRG for the remainder of this deployment of our 30th Heavy Brigade. Because of committed people like these 3 sisters, we are all family in our North Carolina National Guard.
God Bless the families and friends of Carlos Baldeosingh, Edward Kramer, Robert Bittiker, and Richard Adams. I thank you for their service to our State and Nation.
Linda Tharrington Goines
Tarboro, NC
Hi Mike,
Don’t know if you’ll remember me, it’s been quite a few years. This story was forwarded to me by a mutual friend who attends the same church plant as Teresa and I do.
I’m speechless. The cadence and content of your written words allowed the essence of this story to bubble up in unexpected and yet comforting ways…
Like most people, I have family serving in Iraq, and we never know when the call might come. Thanks for remembering us, and them. It matters!
Thanks for sharing this story. I am so proud of all of our men and their families.
Mike, Thank you SO much for writing this! I’m a 64 year old woman whose dad fought in WWII and in Korea. I know what it’s like to have a daddy go to war. Military families sacrifice much for our country. To lose a husband or daddy is the utmost!
Thank you again for this eloquent tribute to this young marine and his family.
God bless,
Gail
Mike,
You are one of the very few local newspeople that saw the integrity of what we were personally were doing in our little portion of this world. And once again you’ve expressed and even received MORE integrity by writing about this family and all of our other fallen comrads who have faithfully given up their lives, families and children so we all can be free. Thank you, Mike, and…GOD SPEED!
P.S. We posted the above writing prior to reading the message because we knew it would be great. It IS better than great. Thank you, Mike, for making us FEEL!
Thank you for this story. Sometimes unless you have a family member or someone close to you as an immediate link to what you see in the news, it becomes just that – it’s in the news. Easy to forget, easy to not think about every day. You made this awful experience that no one wants to live through much more personal. Folks who have read this story will watch the news from overseas with a different view.
I admire the soldiers and their families for their dedication and sacrifice. I pray for their well being and safe return everyday. I have that personal link by way of my son-in-law and my son, both serving in Iraq. I see their wives take care of the children, the house and continue to make home as normal as possible while Daddy is away. I see their anxiety and their frustration yet I also see how proud they are of our wonderful soldiers.
Thank you.
Mike,
What an awesome story. It is so sad but at the same time heartwarming that some people do care to write stories so we may be reminded of the sacrifices all of our military families make to keep America safe.
May the Lord watch over Carlos’ family and all the families who have lost loved ones in service for their country. May He give strength to all. We, as a nation, tend to become too complacent in our daily lives to realize those grave sacrifices our military members are making. We must never lose sight of their importance. We must continue to let them know we are so very greatful and that we continue to pray for their well being so they may safely come home to their families and to an appreciative nation.
God bless and keep up the wonderful work you perform through your writings.
Words cannot express the hurting in my heart for the Baldeosingh family.
My husband’s nephew served two tours in Iraq. Thank the good Lord he is home safely, as is my friend’s husband after serving one tour with the National Guard.
Mike your article is incredible, and I am so grateful to our military for keeping us free. We as free people should never take any soldier for granted. They are the back bone of this nation, and I salute each and every one! May God always hold them close.
We thank the Lord for all of our men and women overseas fighting to keep our country terror free…a special prayer for Soldier Cody Folwer and his wife Leah…God Bless You
Mike,
I am so grateful for all you have done to honor,
remember and declare our appreciation for all of those who serve, and have served, in the armed forces.
Words seem so small right now, yet I have share how much my heart and prayers go out to the men and women in uniform. You are amazing and I am so thankful for all you do.
To the families – know that there are thousands upon thousands who are praying for you, loving you and who are aware and appreciate your sacrifice for us!
God Bless You All,
Foch
Just heard about the noon thing a little while ago.
Wanted to thank all of the American soldiers fighting for freedom anywhere in the world. You don’t HAVE to risk your lives – you do it voluntarily to serve God, your country, and your fellow man. Although some do not appreciate your bravery (and consequentially don’t deserve
it) – I do. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. May God protect you, and keep you, and bring you safely home.
V. Boling
Hickory, NC
Thank you and my prayers are for you Adam R., Mike S., and all in the Military. Mike R. you are a great writer; miss your articles and Carolina Traveler.
Mike,
Thank you for posting this. As a soldier assigned to B Co 1-120th, it makes me happy that someone cared enough to write about Sgt. Baldeosingh and his brothers. Although I did not know him personally, I remember seeing him around the FOB and in the gym. I remember that night very well. When the call came out that one of Alpha’s trucks got hit, everybody volunteered to go help. Everybody. I would just like to send my condolences to the families of those lost, and tell them that their loved ones did not die in vain. They will be remembered. I am positive that if something happens to me, my wife will receive the same love and support that the “sisters” got, and it makes me feel better.
Thank you again Mike,
Kenneth Willis
B CO 1-120th CAB
FOB Mahmudiyah, Iraq
Mike,
I read this piece with pride and respect for those who serve and sadness for those who mourn. You eloquently captured the very essence of our troops who selflessly serve and sacrifice. For rhe familes of those who gave all, my hope would be that time enables them to manage the pain of loss and lives forever changed. In your telling of only one family’s story, you, Mike, have also served us well. Thank you.
Alice Barrier
As a recently retired NC National Guard soldier, I read your deeply introspective article about one of our military heroes while wiping the tears from my cheeks. I read it again to my wife and she was affected the same way. Thanks for profiling the ultimate sacrifice a soldier and his family has made for our freedom. Yes, all Americans must care about all our soldiers that have died (to include their families). We can never forget. It is refreshing to see a journalist prioritizing more important stories than those the main stream media chooses to cover. Thanks so much. You are making a difference. BG (R) Bud Martin
Sir:
Thank you for your service to our goodliest state, and nation. The ultimate sacrifices of these four men on June 29, 2009 has touched so many, to bring back to focus the impact of citizen soldiers’ service on their families, their employers, their communities, and more.
I was at my son’s home in Wilmington following the loss of these four men. I searched the media for information and coverage, saving what I could gather to send to my son.
Your comment that praises Mike Redding for his outstanding coverage, yet raises awareness of inattention from others in media, brought back the feelings I had on the day of SFC Edward Kramer’s funeral.
I had volunteered to join with his church’s choir. From that vantage point, I observed a huge outpouring of respect, love, and support from the military, the fire departments SFC. Kramer had served, law enforcement agencies of all kinds, then the family, friends, and citizens celebrating the life of one of our citizens. The music and words spoken at that service have touched me to the depth of my spirit.
The planning, organization, and operation of the service, processional to Wilmington National Cemetery, and back to the church were highly impressive.
The Wilmington Police Department did an outstanding job of moving hundreds of cars through mid-day traffic toward the cemetery: precise, dignified, professional. The WPD Pipes and Drum Band took my breath away, as did Taps, 21-gun salute, and the fire bell tolling.
The fire departments, with their trucks and honor guards, and the flag displayed at the entrance to the church were phenomenal. The veterans of Patriot Guard Riders offering their time, resources, and support were amazing.
I could not wait to see the news broadcasts that evening, so I could find their websites and send links to my son in Iraq. I was more than a little disappointed.
Here are the points that I’ve been getting to:
First, the air time was less than 30 seconds. Websites offered more. It was the air time that got to me, not even half a minute; yet, there were minutes upon minutes focusing on the drug-induced death of a pop star. With cable, I did not find too much coverage outside the region. Yes, these were our state’s citizen soldiers, but they died in the service of our whole nation. Then there was that pop star story. Priorities?
Second, Sgt. J. Carlos Baldeosingh was our first NC National Guardsman to be buried at Arlington. Of course, other North Carolinians are there, but this is historically different. Only one TV outlet sent a crew? Arlington is a special place, where the views of so many sacrifices, in one vast space, compel you to reflect on the sum of their sacrifices.
Are we a nation of citizens who merely give such noble gifts a fleeting though en route to the mall?
I hope not.
Third, where was the coverage about the members of the 30th Heavy Brigade who gave their ultimate gift in April? The total for this deployment for that Brigade is seven. I hope we can survive through February with no more casualties. At least there is coverage now, but prior to 2009, we were forced into denial about the noble gifts of so many in this endeavor in Iraq.
Lastly, to all of you who have written a comment, expressed a thought, or just offered a prayer for these families, this soldier’s mom says, “Thank you.”
Thank you, Mike Redding, for bringing this to the forefront of our conscience with such grace and dignity. My son is sharing “One Soldier’s Death” with everyone on his Facebook page, and so am I.
Again, Sir, I thank you for your service to North Carolina and to our country.
Dear Mike,
Being a soldier in the 30th brigade also, I just wanted to say thank you so much for such a wonderful story. Though I did not know Sgt. Baldeosingh personally, but, like many, I saw him around the fob and knew his face. Even when we don’t personally know a soldier we have lost, it’s still difficult to lose a brother or sister, especially within our own brigade. Our brigade has been hit hard with loses since we got to Iraq, and it sickens me to know that celebrities or other pointless news gets more attention than that of a fallen soldier who has died for his country and left behind a spouse and children, many who will never know their parent. To Rebecca and their children, and the families of all of our fallen brothers, my thoughts and prayers go out to each and every one of you, may God bring you peace and comfort, and know they will not ever be forgotten. To Mike, thank you for caring so much to attend the funeral and write so many blogs. And to the rest of the nation who took time to read this amazing story and for the comments, thank you from the bottom of my heart, your thanks are greatly appreciated. With so many people against this war, most who have no idea what we do or how hard it is to leave our families and children, it means so much to know so many people are standing behind us. From Iraq, thank you again so much.
Thank you for the wonderful writing that SHOULD cause us ALL to STOP and THINK!
My father was a very courageous veteran of WWII, and I saw, personally, the tole that war took on him, until the full end of his life. He did return from the war, but the war NEVER departed from him. Most never talk of this fact of the after affects of these wars on our soldiers.
Needless to say, our government isn’t and NEVER has done enough for our veterans as they continue their own continual sacrifices. Thank GOD that we are still free, and thank GOD for you!
Thank you Sgt.
You’re the reason the star spangled banner is my favorite song…
Thank you Mike.
Far too often, these stories are left untold. My heart both breaks and swells with pride…. We in the “Military Families” are among the greatest Hero’s of all time.. Not something to be taken lightly.
Semper Fi.
[...] and excruciating events one must endure. The fact that you allowed me to walk beside you and bring your story to others… resulted in thousands and thousands realizing just what sacrifice means. I believe [...]
THANK YOU, BROTHER. GOD BLESS YOU FAMILY.
Mike, thank you for taking the time to eloquently articulate the events and emotions of losing a soldier. In a rare twist, your words are worth a thousand pictures. Thank you!
I am not surprised that the news channels don’t deem it necessary to cover these. In April, I wrote a letter to the Observer, and surprisingly they published it, admonishing them for the lack of coverage of the deployment ceremony – a deployment of 4,000 of NC citizens is surely newsworthy! Alas, it appears they remain ambivalent. But we do not!
As the wife of a deployed soldier, serving the 1-113th of NCNG, I echo the thoughts of the other military families here. I pray selfishly that it isn’t me next time and I pray for the families who have given the ultimate sacrifice – we remember you. I pray that our nation will support our servicemen and women and their families.
God Bless the U.S.A.!
Rebecca, you don’t know me. An old high school friend posted a link to your story on Facebook. They live in NC and her husband is in the military.
As I type I can’t focus well, for there are tears in my eyes. May God and your circle of friends & family give you and your girls strength.
We hear it said a lot, that Freedom isn’t free. As a fellow American, please accept my “thank you” for your husband’s service for our Country.
God Bless America
Rebecca,
I just wanted to say God bless your courageous heart. I know you are going through the worst time in your life, but I want to thank you for setting the example of strength that you have.
You have lived the worst fear of every military wife, and I am terribly sorry for your loss. I’m certain you’ve had a lot of horrific days, and I know all of this is one of those things you do because there is no other choice. Even so, you are choosing not to hide in a hole, or shut out the world. That alone shows amazing character.
I’m certain God will bring people into your life to bless you and your children. This will never be easy for them or you, I’m sure, but I hope that even in the middle of sorrow you and the girls can find some joy.
I know I don’t know you, but in a way I feel I do. I’m proud of you, and inspired by you, sister.
Semper Fi.
Angie Bare
Mike -
Thank you for sharing this story. I heard you on the John Hancock show this evening and had to look it up. I will share with all in my address book. Let’s keep the troops in the forefront of our minds. They should never, ever be forgotten.
How Blessed we are, to be in the Home of the Brave!
Still to this day my heart aches for Rebecca and her 3 beautiful girls. Thank you for sharing this amazing story of two wonderful people. Carlos will never be forgotten. this is why everyone needs to stop and Think of all the sacrifices our soldiers and their families make. MAy God continue to wrap his arms of love around Rebecca and her beautiful girls. I love you Rebecca and I appreciate you so much.
Today’s prayers for safekeeping and goodwill will focus on all our servicemen and women and their families. We enjoy FREEDOM everyday of our lives because of them and those that have served before them. I am sending my personal Wave of Gratitude to all serving in the mid-east, especially. KNOW, today and always we know your sacrifice! God bless you all.
Mike,
Thank you for this story. No one can ever know what the families go through during the deployment of a loved one. No one can understand the dedication these young men and women, and their families have. We are America Land of the Free, Home of the Brave,because of them, not our Senators or Congressmen.
When I heard about Juan, people started asking me if I was related to him, and yes, I am. His dad and my dad were first cousins. I live in Nassau County, Long Island but grew up in Rosedale, Queens.Sorry for your loss.
Thank you Mike for bringing it all back home when so many forget. Continuing to keep Rebecca and her precious little ones in my prayers.