Posted by Eric Lund on February 28, 2024:

Sisters and brothers, beloved of Charlie, Our brother inspires even more than 36 years since that fateful day. We all moved on with many important events, including marriage, birth of children, military service in peace, in peacekeeping, and in war, and the loss of more family and friends in combat, training, and daily activities. Some have experienced our own brushes with death, during these times. During these 13,143 days, many of us have thought of Charlie each day and said a prayer to our Merciful Father in Heaven to bring into His Magnificent Presence Charlie, Wayne, Chris, all the other Soldiers killed in the terrible crash, all deceased Service personnel across the ages, and all God-loving people. I have said this prayer daily: "Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them, and may they rest in peace. Amen" Today, inspired by my sisters and brothers in Carmel, with whom I have discerned a vocation and in whom I am currently an Aspirant, I prayed the Office of the Dead the Morning Prayer of the Church's Liturgy of the Hours for Charlie, Wayne, Chris, and all God-loving souls. In so doing, I have humbly brought the entire Catholic Church in prayer for our fallen brothers and sisters. Lastly, something I have shared with my wife of 33 years, Maria, and our four sons and daughter-in-law, I would have asked Charlie to be the godfather of one of our sons. How we loved Charlie! Our oldest son, Mario, is a 2017 USMA Grad, unbeknownst to us, he chose to have the tiger-eye stone in his ring, in honor of Charlie, whose ring he saw in the library ring display. Happily, Charlie is a role mode and hero in our sons' lives. We hope and pray - and yes, believe! - that Charlie, Wayne, Chris and all God-loving persons have been mercifully embraced by our Lord Jesus, who has called them to Himself with the words, "Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:34) Until we see each other again, Blessings and peace, Eric

admin