Part 2: A Gold Star Mother’s story
EDITOR’S NOTE: Columnist John Ostwald submitted daily columns for the week prior to Veterans Day. The columns covered a variety of armed forces issues. The information in the columns came from interviews with veterans and family members, research and John’s perspective as an educator and veteran.
This is Part Two of a Gold Star Mother’s Story - Leesa Philippon
“On May 8, 2005, Mother’s Day and our 24th wedding anniversary, Larry’s unit participated in Operation Matador. He was a team leader but had expressed his dismay in that position. He did not like the idea of appointing someone else to go into harm’s way. On this day, Larry appointed himself as point man (the first to go into the build- ings). God called his name that day when he took insurgent machine gun fire upon entry into an Iraqi house. For his bravery and courage, Larry was awarded the Purple Heart and Navy & Marine Corps commendation medal with Valor. He is credited for saving the lives of two Marines and a Corpsman.
It was the Marines with whom Larry served in Washington DC that received his body at Dover AFB. And in a ceremony unlike any other performed, they laid their brother to rest in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery. The Captain, that had the duty of walking to our door on the evening of May 8 to inform us of Larry’s death, became like family to us. We felt that the honor and love that he bestowed upon Larry and the care and comfort that he gave to us was a reflection of how he would want his own family to be regarded in the event of his death. On May 3, 2006, I received a phone call from our Captain’s wife informing me that he had been killed in Iraq. We simply cannot recall the day of Larry’s death without having our hearts break a second time over the loss of the Captain.
Larry was always a hero to us even prior to his military service. He left us many precious memories of love and laughter that carry us through each day. Our love for him grows even stronger and we draw on his courage and our faith in God to help us maneuver through life without him. Larry loved being a Marine and up to the end of his life on Earth, he said it was the best choice that he had ever made.”
Leesa and her family continue to deal the emotional upheaval that results when a loved one dies. She mentioned her family’s challenges and how they cope. “The progress of our lives moving forward has not been easy or quick. It ebbs and
flows, sometimes with crashing waves that pull us under. But, we have found anchors that keep us grounded. Our faith has carried us through this dark period. Just as I had prayed throughout each day when Larry was deployed, I remained in conversation with God. At times, I didn’t know what to pray because I felt so empty. So, I would pray the Lord’s Prayer. I found peace and hope in scripture and I clung to God’s promise of comfort for those who mourn.
Community has helped us also. The comfort flooded into our lives through family, friends, neighbors, strangers and many who had lost children. We never shut our doors and we found much solace in the sharing of our experience especially with those who endured similar losses.
Seeking purpose and facing the truth was important to us. I was never angry at God that He called Larry home. I know this world is full of evil and I know that God takes what is meant for evil and turns it for the good. We want Larry to be part of that good.
Finally, we weren’t able to be with Larry when he was taken from this earth. We believe God placed him in the midst of a family of brothers who love him and will carry his memory and legacy safely through the rest of their lives.”