A Message to the Nation: From LCpl Grant Fraser's Eulogy

LCpl Grant Fraser was one of six 3/25 Lima Co Marines deployed with the Ohio Reserve who were killed in Iraq on August 3, 2005. In a eulogy given by his godmother, Lynn Manley, she spoke words that are truly for us as a nation, and need to be shared far and wide. In the face of the few who work to degrade the importance of the mission in Iraq, and the high calling that those who serve have paid, and the fact that they are there by choice, there is this reminder... " Grant was exactly where he wanted to be. He loved the Marines and he loved being a Marine and he loved being part of the Fourth Recon Echo Company, Alaska. And if you are curious about the standards of that unit, take a look at Major Beth Ashe and First Sergeant Sarino. They have stood with our family and friends in our darkest hour, and exemplified the highest standards of Semper Fi. And so Grant died, in the thick of the action, with his comrades in arms. I read the polls that say many Americans are tired of the discouraging news from Iraq. I guess we would rather watch baseball, or read about celebrity trials. For shame... Every single one of our brave men and women in Iraq, and in uniform all over the world, deserve our full and personal support. They are doing a magnificent job under extreme duress and in impossible conditions. Think about them every single day. Keep them in your prayers, send them funny DVDs and cookies and help their families. Support lawmakers who vote for veterans' benefits. But today isn't about politics. As a dear friend of ours, a long-time military man who fought in Korea and Vietnam, wrote to me, "Please extend our heartfelt sympathy to your friend and family of the young Marine that was killed in Iraq. Each of them takes a piece of all of us. They are the best and have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. I hope we will do their lives justice by making the world the best place it can be. May the burden of his family's grief be made lighter knowing that it is shared by all of us." There are no words to explain the loss of a young man like Grant. We can only celebrate his devotion, patriotism, and honor. His willingness to put himself in harm's way for our sakes should stand as a shining example to all of us and to inspire us to make up for efforts we have not made, for hard decisions we have ignored. To live with anything less than a full commitment to our country, and service to others, is to dishonor Grant's memory. Finally, let us hold in prayer all those who, like Grant, have made the ultimate sacrifice, and for their families and friends, here in Anchorage, in Ohio, and elsewhere in this great country. They are the best and brightest of us, and we cannot - and will not - forget them." ` Lynn Manley