Dear Editor,
My family and I would like to express our condolences to the
family of Marine Lance Cpl. Jeramy Ailes. Although I did not have
the distinct pleasure of knowing him or serving with him, I did
have the privilege of knowing and serving with his brothers-in-arms
in Mindanao, Philippines.
Dear Editor,
My family and I would like to express our condolences to the family of Marine Lance Cpl. Jeramy Ailes. Although I did not have the distinct pleasure of knowing him or serving with him, I did have the privilege of knowing and serving with his brothers-in-arms in Mindanao, Philippines. I’ve recently returned from a tour of duty for the global war on terrorism, where I had worked side by side with many of his Marine Corps brothers. I have many close friends and family still deployed in various regions of the world, fighting the War on Terrorism.
Historically, there has always existed, between the various branches of our Armed Forces, a friendly battle of “who is the best”. After experiencing the trials of war, I can say that there is no better branch. We all have a job to do, and we all do it well …together. The Marines, as well as the other soldiers and sailors of today, are well trained and educated. For whatever reasons, we, as members of the greatest military in the world, decided to sign the dotted line and serve our country.
Your son, brother, and friend had paid the ultimate sacrifice for this country. He is a hero, and let no one tell you otherwise. I can only reflect upon my own thoughts while deployed. I am sure he may have had the same. I asked myself daily, how my family would be should I not return home safely. It was a heart-wrenching experience every time I thought about my loved ones at home. I hoped that they not shed a tear of grief, but to shed a tear of joy, for I did my job and I did it well. Be proud of him, for who he was, for what he did, and for what he accomplished.
To succeed in life, starts with a strong family core. The love and support you had provided him, was courageously displayed when he asked you to send him soccer balls for the children he encountered. It showed he had a heart filled with compassion, even in the darkest of times. He would not have had that without family and the values you had instilled upon him.
For those who took the time to read this letter, take the time to thank Jeramy and his family for the freedom you have. The next time you are having a cup of coffee at the local coffee shop or while shopping at the mall, remember he was one of us. He was a Gilroyan, an American. Remember those who continue to serve, especially our Gilroy sons and daughters, who continue to travel in harms way to protect our beliefs and way of life in this nation.
Marine Lance Cpl. Jeramy Ailes will always exist in our hearts and minds. He is the wind at your back and the stars in the sky. Albert Einstein once said, “Only a life lived for others is worth living”.
I would like to share the following poem with the Ailes family.
GM2(SWCC) Justin Matsuhara and Family
Naval Special Warfare Combatant Crewmember
NSW Special Boat Team
“A Soldier’s Prayer to God”
Author Unknown
The soldier stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining just as bright as his brass,
Step forward now you soldier how should I deal with you,
Have you always turned the other cheek, to my church have you been true,
The soldier squared his shoulders and said, no Lord I guess I ain’t,
Cause those of us that carry guns, can’t always be a saint,
But I never took a penny that wasn’t mine to keep,
Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep,
I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear,
And Lord forgive me I’ve wept unmanly tears,
I know I don’t deserve a place among the people here,
They never wanted me around, except to calm their fear,
If you’ve a place for me here Lord, it needn’t be so grand,
I never had or expected much, if you don’t I understand,
Step forward now you soldier, you’ve borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on heaven’s streets, you’ve done your time in hell.
