not just another soldier killed

“Got home tonite from my neighbors bible-study and saw there were three messages on my machine. I listened to the first and new it was bad, the other two confirmed my worst fear. It was a call from my buddies mom.

Born Oct 4 1973 Paul Johnson, Died Oct 19 2003 SSGT Paul Johnson

His squad was ambushed in Fallujah while on patrol yesterday. He was killed by either an RPG or a homemade device, details are sketchy. 6 other soldiers were injured.

He leaves his parents and siblings and a wife and 4 year old son and many friends.

I had the honor of knowing PJ for the past 24 years. We grew up together,played army as kids,went through basic in the same battalion,were roommates in Airborne school, were in the same chalk and stick on our first jump, shared a room during ranger training, partied like only stupid 19 year olds can, he was the best man in my wedding. He was my brother.

I love ya PJ and miss ya!”

“Oh man, that's just terrible news. My condolences to his family and all his friends.”

“Birch, I'm sorry for your loss my friend. I know how much this dude meant to you based on how you talked about him.

If there is anything you need, you have my number.”

“None of them are "just another soldier".

Peace be with you.”

“Birch, such sad news, I'm soo sorry.

This occupation has turned into another Vietnam, I wish all our troops would return home.”

“Four more years, four more years.”

“Oh Birch. I am just so sorry. I remember your posts about him before and how much you both loved each other, and how much you did for each other. What a blessing to have a friend like that and what a tragedy to lose him.

If it weren't for the quality of the people like your friend laying it on the line in Iraq and Afghanistan - all this would be so much worse.

Bless you both, and everyone else who has an ache or has lost something over the violence in the world.

I'll remember him on Veteran's day - and say a prayer.”

“Thank you all very much...”

“I'm so sorry to hear about your bestest friend. My condolences go out to you.”

“My condolences to you birch.HPC is right,there is not just another soldier.They are all somebodies son,brother,uncle,cousin and best friend.For those of us who served in the military,It`s a sad reminder that but for the grace of God go I.It`s also unfortunately to often the price of freedom!”

“I've sat here and no words seem proper. My thoughts are with you and his family.”

“I feel for ya bro. Sorry to hear about your friend.”

“Same here, Jo.”

“sorry for your loss”

“I don't know what to say. I'm sorry for your loss. It is a hard thing to lose a friend. I myself have people that close to me that are my military brothers. Someone that you would trust your life with. Someone that you can talk to about anything. I sit here writing this and I have to fight back the tears. For freedom is not free and so many people take it for granted. There are many people that think this is not our place to be fighting. But who is going to fight the evil that is in this world. Someone has to go and protect the weak. Just remember that your friend death was not in hast. He was fighting to make the world a better place. God speed. You and him will be in my payers.”

“Birch, I am so sorry. There is nothing I can say useful here, but I am feeling very sad about this.”

“Thoughts and prayers are with him, you and families.

Mark”

“It`s also unfortunately to often the price of freedom!"
paddles
10:07:46 PM

No, it's the price of oil.
It's the price of Bush's ego.

The price is meaningless as long as Bush gets re-elected.

You stupid people supported Bush's war, No sympathy.”

“You support Bush, you support his war.”

“In fact, I'm voting for Bush next year, just to see America suffer some more.”

“Alaska why don't you just get the he!! out of here. If you can't tell by now no one wants you here. You are the gum that is on the bottom of my shoe. In fact it would give me great pleasure to break your nose. You don't have the BALLS to do what SSGT Paul Johnson did. You are the lowest live form on the face of the earth. He is more of a man then you will ever be!”

“Posts of the following nature are not acceptable in Trail Talk:

Posts that encourage the use of illegal substances
Posts of a strong sexual nature
Posts that demean a country, nation, religion, or particular group of people
Posts that express physical or verbal threats towards another poster
Many posts of the same message within a short period of time on a single thread
Creation of multiple off topic threads within a short time period
Purposefully trying to mislead other posters through the use of a spoofed username


I didn't break any rules. You, however, did make a threat, kodiakman. Why don't you kiss my you know what. If killing babies is what you consider a man, you are sicko.”

“Ban kodiakman for making threats.”

“sorry birch.”

“Wow Birch, that's gotta hurt. My condolences go out to you... and especially his family.”

“major bummer man, my condolences... don't quite know what to say at a time like this..”

“In October of 1993, I lost six friends to enemy fire in Somalia. None as close as yours. My sincerest condolences. You've got an army buddy here if you just want to rant.
Regards,
AJ”

“"I" would like to hear from Alaska. I like to listen to everyone. This is America where everybody is entitled to a different opinion & belief. "THAT" is what makes America great.

I've lost MANY friends, relatives & buddies in war. I carry a gun every day, occasionally very near the 911 site. I have been shot. I AM against the present war. I was against the Vietnam war.

I believe both were political. I hate to see young men die. Saddam was not a threat to us. Terrorists are a threat to the world but war is not the answer.

I'm sorry about your brother Birch. I truely wish he never had to go there.”

“I am so sorry for your loss.”

“Joe, I'm so sorry. This has brought me to tears. I wish I could hug you right now. I know you and PJ were very close for so many years and how much you care for him.

You and Joy are in my thoughts. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.”

“Birch --

Words come hard just a cold chill down my spine and tears in my eyes. May peace come soon to PJ, you, his family, our troops and their families.”

“Gosh Birch, what terrible news. You, Joy and Abbey and your buddy's family are in my prayers.”

“birch, sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and you.”

“Sorry, Birch.”

“My thoughts and prayers are with you Birch and with PJ's family.”

“Sorry to hear that your buddy was killed. I know you will honor him whenever you get a chance and won't let his legacy die with him. My condolences.”

“Damn, Birch...I am very sorry! Very, very sorry.”

“very sorry to hear that”

“My prayers are with you, your friend, and his family.”

“Sorry for your loss. This must be a real difficult time for you. My thoughts are with you...”

“I am so very sorry. God help us all.

Doug (Gremlin)”

“Birch: you are mensch, and I'm sure Paul was. I feel for you and his family. Ouch!

I lost my best friend from college and I know I wouldn't want to see people using that death or my discussion of it as a chance to make political statements or to bash someone else. I hope people who feel tempted to use this thread for things like that will do it on another thread like: "Politicizing a personal tragedy."”

“Sorry......buddy”

“oh birch, that is so sad. i'm awfully sorry to hear it.”

“Hey Joe, I'm sorry to hear of the loss. I feared it was only a matter of time before this war actually stuck home in the TT family.”

“I did not mean any disrespect. I still cannot find the right words.

Sorry,
CB”

“My condolences,I guess going through all that training together
can make you closer than real
brothers. I hope you can draw strength from the
fact that you are both patriots.
Something that outsiders woudln't
understand about how deep that can
go. God Bless the both of you and
your kin.”

“I first thought "Oh, NO!" when I saw the thread title and your name under it. I had a feeling what had happened before I opened it. I am so very sorry for your loss and his families. They way you described your time together was heart breaking knowing the ending. I have no idea what your going through, I have never lost a brother like that. I can only hope that SOME good will come out of this.....



...only hope that SOME good can come out of this.....





..and for what it's worth:
to Alaska. True that he can say what ever he wants, where ever, as long as it's within the rules, but I will poo poo him for making this thread a personal soapbox. There somethings we get that you don't have to point out. Show some repect for yourself, man.”

“Awe phuck Joe...when I saw the title of the thread the first thing I though was, "Please don't let it be Joe's buddy!". Any kind of words of comfort would be clique right now but my heart is broken for you. Just remembering all the great stories you've told me about your times with him I can't imagine your loss.”

“You and your friends family have my Deepest Heartfelt Sympathy.

I feel real bad for the 4 year boy. I know what it is like to grow up not having or knowing one of your parents.

Birch, my email is there for you if you need anything.

Take Care
Tim”