Robert Wilson Collins

West Point, 2008

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jo H Garvin on April 16, 2010:

I am writing this as a wife, mother, daughter, sister and United States citizen. A United States citizen who is afforded the opportunity to voice my concerns without censorship when I feel the need to vent; A United States citizen that can obtain an education, if I chose, to better equip myself to care for my family regardless of my gender; A United States citizen who has the right to vote in an election so that my governance is a choice, not a predetermined dictatorship; A United States citizen who can put her family to bed at night without fear or angst of being uprooted and evicted due to an ethnic cleansing. Such privileges? are not bestowed upon me because of any procurement of my own but by those that have chosen to answer the calling of servitude of their fellow man. Service men and women that have chosen the occupation and that have committed themselves to ensuring that we are and will remain a nation of freedom. We as a society, all too often, take for granted the rights? that we have forgetting that these rights? must be maintained and that all people deserve a chance under a democratic government here or abroad. My husband had the distinct honor to have taught and coached 1st Lt. Robert Collins while in high school at Sandy Creek and commented that Lt. Collins told him after 911 of his plans to attend West Point and join the Army, to which my husband responded with the fact that it was an admirable decision but that it carried a huge amount of responsibility and possible sacrifice. My husband point blank asked Lt. Collins if he was prepared to make such a monumental decision as a sophomore in high school. Lt. Collins response was "coach I am ready and prepared." The American way of life is a privilege that is enjoyed by us as United States citizens and by those that chose to leave their country for ours, because of the sacrifice of those such as 1st Lt. Collins and others before who took a stand choosing to champion the cause. Thank you Deacon, Sharon and Nicolle for sharing your loved one with us as a member of the Sandy Creek family and as a member of the United States Army; thank you 1st Lt. Robert Collins for your dedication, your bravery and your sacrifice . Now, sweet boy, go rest in the arms of Jesus and abide in his love, love that is so great that is it incomprehensible. "Greater love has no one than this that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 Respectfully, Jo H Garvin Once a Patriot always a Patriot!!!

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