Joshua Todd Byers

West Point, 1996

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Lara Swafford on January 10, 2004:

I was blessed to meet Josh late in the summer of 1991; we both attended Reed High School in Sparks, Nevada as we were becoming Seniors. I had just moved from southern California, and didn't know a soul... Josh befriended me, introduced me to all of East Sparks Neighborhood Church, and though he never knew it, would remain my conscience, my Jiminy Cricket, thereafter. He was the most upstanding, driven person I have ever had the privilege to meet, and he will remain so for eternity. I cannot think of him now without feeling tremendous pain for his family, and for the world... He was supposed to go on and gain a political career after the Army, culminating in his election as President... He used to laugh when I'd tell him that, but then he'd snap to attention and salute me when I refered to him as President Byers. I always imagined his room in Sparks becoming a shrine to visitors from far and near who wanted to see where the mighty Josh Byers used to lay his head and dream of his military career... Lloyd and Mary, you have my love and my sympathy. You are in my prayers daily... Milam and Jared, I cannot imagine the difficult time you two must face. Your brother loved you so very much... and while I have never had the chance to meet Kim, I know without a doubt that she must be an amazing woman; Josh would often dream out loud of the kind of woman he wanted to marry- you must be a very kind and generous person and I wish you every chance at happiness after this tragedy. I hold tight to my memories of a visit to West Point with Mary, and when the pain is lessened I will take out the photographs and try to smile at his memory... I didn't know how to express what Josh was like... why he remains so special and so strong an influence on me even now. Luckily I don't have to try and put this into words; I'll let Josh tell you himself, in a poem he wrote at the end of his Plebe year at USMA... "Dare To Dream" - by Cadet Joshua T. Byers, USMA '96 It began as a little boy's prayer A dream conjured from destiny And wrapped in swaddling innocence Seeds of direction planted by the will of God Watered by his grace Cared for by his love. Time marched as the long line stretched Nearer and nearer to my yearning soul Apparitions of the pasts glory Paraded tauntingly in my sleep Ghost of the gray Lifeblood of liberty. Achievement rang with the echo of sacrifice The appointment given with accolades and praise Life's most treacherous valley hidden behind its mountain tops Indescribeable pain wrapped in a dream. Teary goodbye's marked it's beginning Tearful prayers manifest in its continuation The desire to win, diluted by the craving to quit. The hand of God holding my every worry His tender love gripping deliverence- in his time. Throughout the year, joy was sparsely woven Between the entangled sacrifices that were the weeks. Homecoming comes and speedily goes Giving way to the slowing tread of time Days take on the illusion of eternity The tempo slowed to a deliberate beat. Daily, fear awakened me from my peaceful sleep Staring defiantly into my confused and bloodshot eyes. Slowly, meeting it's death Beaten by new growth in Christ. Slaughtered by faith in his unfailing love. I stand, hand held high, gripping heaven's outstretched hands The goal closer than ever before Plebe year will end in a culmination of the power of love The love of God, and my family Ther prayers of a virtuous woman, a steadfast man, and committed brothers Prayers of men and women of god whom I have never met. Keeping my bloodied chin up in the midst of toil and strife Nothing more than a crude instrument in God's unfailing plan My life travelling the road not taken Embodied by the simple prayer of a little boy with a dream.

admin