James J. Walton

West Point, 1989

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by betty b sharan on October 10, 2008:

My name is Betty & I am a member of "Soldiers Angels". Jim Walton was assigned to me in January 2008 & I wrote to him until June of 2008. I recall reading of unrest in Khandahar & shot off an email to see if he was ok. His response was, "Nah, don't worry. I'm not dead yet" (That was June 16th). What totally impressed me about him was how very unassuming he was...and he NEVER discussed his rank. As busy & as important as he was, he always had time to reply to my letters...& his letters were always full of caring for his men & the Afghan people. The following excerpt from one of his letters to me is testment to the goodness, warmth & genuine caring of a man who truly lived up to the title of "Braveheart", my nickname for all of my soldiers. ..."If I die here helping the Afghan people become independent, safe & controlling their own destiny... I am good with that. Granted, I don't WANT to die & will do everything I can to keep that from happening. But the lives of my soldiers/sailors & the good Afghan people are worth more to me than my own life... By the way, I had a good day." I have read that particular letter so many times that I almost can recite those words of his, by heart. He is truly a hero & a great warrior... & hands down, the epitome of a Braveheart. He was definitely a man of conviction. Sincerely, Betty Sharan LTC Jim Walton's Soldiers' Angel

admin