Remembering Sgt. Michael Stokely, KIA 16 August 2009

I will write much more about this later this weekend (I'm going to try to get a video together & posted, if I can figure out how, and have some pics to post as well), but I wanted to get SOMETHING up here NOW.

On August 16, 2005, our little town of Loganville lost one of our own in the War on Terror, Sgt. Michael J. Stokely. Our family did not know Mike, or his friends, or his family...but his loss - and one so close to home -- hit us hard nonetheless. Over the intervening years, we've had the honor and priviledge of getting to know his family, and many of his friends.

Each year on the anniversary of his death, at the exact hour of his death, Mike's family, friends, and even those of us who never knew him, gather at his gravesite to remember and pay our respects. Tonight was that annual gathering. Two of his friends who served with him in Iraq were not there tonight. They are two of our family's adopted soldiers (and dear friends of ours) and are currently serving in Afghanistan. Their absence was felt, but I know they were with us in spirit, as we are with them.

I will write a more thorough post later, but I just wanted to get something up here now... Please, take a moment to reflect on what our freedom costs. Don't ever, ever take it for granted. Stop now to say a prayer for the families of the fallen, and for all our troops currently serving, wherever they may be. Have you thanked a Soldier or Veteran today? If not.. do. They deserve it.

More to come later, just didn't want to waste any time in getting something up here to honor Mike.

Love & prayers,
Mama Kat & Family.