Tribute to Lucas

26 May 2007, 01:27

Brad Starcevich

Tribute to Lucas

Dear all Accurate members - I've wanted to post this for some time now, but couldn't quite make it through it. This is probably not the correct forum, but here it goes. I lost my son Lucas V. Starcevich to an IED in Baghdad, Iraq on April 16, 2007. I post this here because I am now, and will be from this moment on, my sons crusader. I want everyone to know his story. This isn't an attempt to force my grief on anyone. I just want everyone to know about my son. As most of you know, April 16th was the same day that an idiot scum executed the Virginia Tech massacre, so, little was said about the six brave Americans that died for America that day. TIME magazine has tried to rectify the situation by profiling the six KIA of April 16. You can read about my son here:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1625171,00.html
and by visiting my tribute page here:
http://www.starcevich.org/luke.htm

Thank you, everyone.
Brad Starcevich "Starcharvski"

26 May 2007, 01:46

Use Enough Gun

Thanks Brad. Our prayers are with you and your family. Your words and thoughts and that of the poem are very touching and emotional. He did not die in vain. God holds him now and you will meet him again.

26 May 2007, 01:58

eyedoc

I read your words with great sorrow.There can be no loss more hurtful than the loss of a child.I am eternally thankful to him for his sacrifice for our country and I pray for peace for all of your family.

26 May 2007, 02:09

jorge

Brad, my deepest condolences. The price of freedom is a value the protected shall never know, I'm sorry your son paid the ultimate price. God bless him. jorge

26 May 2007, 02:18

Doc

I am very truly sorry to read about your son. I will pray for you. I honestly have no words, as mentioned above, the loss of a son or daughter is unthinkable.

26 May 2007, 02:40

Nickudu

A stirring tribute, from a brave and loving father. My sincere condolences Brad.

26 May 2007, 02:55

465H&H

Brad!

I am nearly speechless at your family's loss. It seems almost unfair that some have to suffer such losses while for the rest of us life goes on as before. I pray for all those lost in the military and thank God that men still exist to give there all to protect our country.

465H&H

26 May 2007, 02:57

Rusty

I wish I knew the words to lift this heavy burden from your heart.

I can only say that my family greives with you.
If some one wanted to look for a meaning to the phrase "The American Character" they only need know of you, your family and the great sacrifice you have endured.

Your family will remain in my prayers.

Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”

26 May 2007, 03:04

L. David Keith

Brad, there are no words to express the sorrow many of us feel right now. I am very grateful to you for sharing your Son with us. We may never have known of him otherwise. Thank you is not enough, nor will it ever be. But know all true Americans and friends of America appreciate your Son and his ultimate sacrifice. God bless you and your family. I hope you find some comfort in knowing your extended AR family cares. Sincerely, David Keith

26 May 2007, 04:40

Leopardtrack

Brad,
I am choked-up just reading your post. Sorry for your loss. Words are meaningless now.
Frank

26 May 2007, 04:49

Fjold

My condolences Brad.

Frank

"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953

NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite

26 May 2007, 05:07

mstarling

Brad,

Our most sincere condolensces. Our prayers are with you and yours and we are grateful for his service and for your families sacrifice.

This is the nightmare that haunts families that have kids "in country." I'm not sure how I would face such a loss ... and I've thought about it a lot as my youngest is in the military and seems to find all of the trouble there is. My only consolation would be that I know my young man felt it was worth the risk and was worth doing. He sent me a Tshirt that I wear proudly. It says "Freedom is NOT free."

Inspiring, but tough to live with.

May time bring you peace.

26 May 2007, 05:13

Kamo Gari

As an American, I am proud to have within our ranks courageous men the likes of your son. May he rest in peace, Brad.

26 May 2007, 05:23

Palmer

My sincere regret and sympathy.

May you and your family eventually find peace and accept Gods reasons for this tragedy.

We are very grateful for your sons sacrafice and that of your family.

ALLEN W. JOHNSON - DRSS

Into my heart on air that kills
From yon far country blows:
What are those blue remembered hills,
What spires, what farms are those?
That is the land of lost content,
I see it shining plain,
The happy highways where I went
And cannot come again.

A. E. Housman

26 May 2007, 05:25

Afrikaander

My deep condolences, Brad... may God give you the necessary strenght to carry on with your own life after such unbearable loss ...

26 May 2007, 06:23

invader66

I Do not have the words. I can only Pray for you and yours and say you do not grieve alone.
Many grieve any loss of a brother in arms.
May God bless you all.
Gene

26 May 2007, 07:26

retreever

Brad to your family... My prayers and thank yous for your sons decision to be an American soldier....

Mike

26 May 2007, 07:36

AzGuy

Brad,

THANK YOU!!

Freedom is never free.

Thank you and God Bless.

26 May 2007, 07:39

JPK

Brad,

I am at a loss for words, at least words that would better express my deep feelings than those good men who have posted before me.

But I can add my most sincere condolences to you and your family and add my awe and utmost respect for your son, his commitment to his believes and to our country.

The man your son became must make you so proud and yet make your loss so much more difficult. It is a difficult realization that the best are often taken from us since they are both the brave and the committed. Please know that I will pray for your son and for you and your family.

My most heartfelt respect and condolances,

John P. Kirlin
JPK

26 May 2007, 08:00

stuntpilot2

You've both paid the ultimate sacrifice.

With profound respect, thank you.

26 May 2007, 08:15

Jim Manion

Brad,

My deepest condolences for your loss.

Your son was one those special young men who volunteered to serve his Nation while many of his peers take a safer road. It takes true character to pursue such a selfless course, subordinating your interests to a higher purpose. A special young man such as your son is imbued with this kind of character by his family.

Words seem trivial at times like this, but know that your son rests in Peace with God.

God Bless you and your family. And God bless Lucas. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

My prayers are with you and your family.

Jim Manion
Major, USAR (retired)

26 May 2007, 08:20

Saeed

Brad,

Our deepest condolences.

My father passed away a few months ago after a long fight with cancer. I know how you feel after loosing someone you love very dearly.

quote:
condolences

26 May 2007, 08:30

gduffey

Brad, The scripture says, "No greater love hath any man that he lay down his life for a friend." What would I add. gduffey

26 May 2007, 08:31

Tembo

Brad, I am very sorry to hear of your loss.

26 May 2007, 09:09

ElCaballero

I offer my condolences.

26 May 2007, 09:43

JKS

Brad,

I can only say God bless to you and Lucas. May his memory provide you comfort.

In my deepest respect.

John

26 May 2007, 17:57

whm7753

Brad:

To borrow a famous quote;

"I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. Yours very sincerely and respectfully, Abraham Lincoln."

My deepest heartfelt condolences on your loss and my profound thanks. My prayers go out to you and your family.

Bill

26 May 2007, 18:05

Die Ou Jagter

Brad,

I can only say thank you to you and your son for your great sacrifice.

God now holds him in his arms.

26 May 2007, 20:16

DavidC

Brad,

I am terribly sorry to hear of your loss.

My deepest condolences to you and your family.

May you find peace.

Dave

26 May 2007, 22:07

ROSCOE

I am sorry for your loss.

******************************************************************
R. Lee Ermey: "The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle."
******************************************************************
We're going to be "gifted" with a health care plan we are forced to purchase and fined if we don't, Which purportedly covers at least ten million more people, without adding a single new doctor, but provides for 16,000 new IRS agents, written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that didn't read it but exempted themselves from it, and signed by a President, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes, for which we'll be taxed for four years before any benefits take effect, by a government which has already bankrupted Social Security and Medicare, all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's broke!!!!! 'What the hell could possibly go wrong?'

26 May 2007, 22:38

Michael Robinson

My deepest sympathy and condolences on your terrible loss.

We as a nation can only hope to be worthy of such a sacrifice.

27 May 2007, 01:15

akrange

Brad
It is My Firm Belief that we will all be Reunited with those we love one day.I wish this for You and Yours..
He's Far but not that Far..
Lucas V. Starcevich.. Thanks for your Service to Your Country..
AK

27 May 2007, 02:12

Use Enough Gun

Amen.

27 May 2007, 02:23

Brice

My most sincere sympathy to you and your family. I resolve to make every effort to assure that people understand that their freedoms are dependant on men like Luke.

27 May 2007, 20:03

Lhook7

Brad,

My deepest condolences to you and your family. You will be in my prayers this Memorial Day.

27 May 2007, 21:15

RIP

Brad,
I am so sorry your son was cut down in the prime of his life. I am sure I cannot fully comprehend the magnitude of your grief, only try to imagine what it must be like, and pray that you may be comforted.

Your heroic son is worthy of all possible gratitude of this nation. The Honor Guard's 21-Gun Salute, the medals, and American Flag draped coffin are comforting symbols of much more that lives on in your heart, and ours.

God bless.

28 May 2007, 07:46

jetdrvr

My thanks to you for sharing your grief.

You have my deepest condolences.

28 May 2007, 09:43

Jaco Human

It is always sad and painful to loose a loved one, even more if you lose a child. My sincere condolences, may GOD bring peace to the hearts of Lucas's family and friends.

Life is how you spend the time between hunting trips.

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