Kennedy’s letter a comfort

[graywarrior]

Two days after Edward M. Kennedy was buried in Arlington National Cemetery near his two slain brothers, Marine Sergeant Bill Cahir, a Pennsylvania native killed in combat Aug. 13 in Afghanistan, was laid to rest in the same hallowed ground.

In one of his final letters, written in his dying days, Kennedy sent his condolences to Cahir’s widow, Rene Browne, who is pregnant with twin girls. Accompanied by a copy of John F. Kennedy’s book “Profiles in Courage,’’ the letter commended Cahir, a former aide in Kennedy’s office, for his service and sacrifice and expressed sympathy for his family’s loss.

Dated Aug. 20, the hand-signed letter arrived at Cahir’s Alexandria, Va., home the day before Kennedy died on Aug. 25.

“Bill was a true Profile in Courage, and his selfless dedication to our country will never be forgotten,’’ Kennedy wrote. “I cherish the time that Bill spent on my staff. His commitment to the working men and women of our nation was an inspiration to us all, and we were very grateful for his leadership and friendship and dedication to public service.’’

(Link)

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/05/kennedys_letter_a_comfort/

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Totally a class act, and a good heart. Thank you, Ted. n/t

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. Bill was our friend -

and neighbor.

That letter was a huge comfort to his young widow, who is holding up in ways I can't even begin to understand. It was in a plastic sleeve, so that we could all read it, but it'll be preserved for his girls.

He was a great guy, did so many things in his forty-one years, so many good things, but his decision to join the Marines was not a good one, and so many of his friends just didn't understand why he did what he did.

Now he's gone, for absolutely no good reason, and his daughters will never know him.

It's all so stupid................

[graywarrior]

3. The entire story made me cry.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

4. It's a perfectly sad story -

completely unnecessary. He sweettalked the Marines into discarding their age limitation to let him in, and he was in a unit that did all sorts of social work kinds of things, but still, he was in Iraq twice, and then he got married - I think they married three years ago, maybe four - Renee is much younger than he is - and then he got a chance to go to Afghanistan.

He didn't have to go. He could have opted out and returned to civilian life, but he went.

She's so pregnant and so valiant and so beautiful, and her husband's death meant nothing.

We, their friends, are so angry, but we're saying nothing, except to each other, very quietly.

It's horrible, and just didn't have to happen.................................

[girl gone mad]

5. I'm sorry for your loss.

The article said he was 40, but he looked much younger in the photo. I can see why the Marines let him in.

[renate]

6. I'm so sorry

I can't imagine the heartbreak. He sounds amazing.

I'm glad you and their other friends are there for Renee. I can tell that you will all be such a great source of support and comfort... knowing how much other people care for him and will miss him will be a huge help to her.

[MrsBrady]

7. so sorry

for your loss.

[mdmc]

8. kick