The eve of our loved one lost.

I won’t be writing a long post as I am working on a speech for a ceremony tomorrow. We are putting up a memorial sign. A Hero’s Way sign if your familiar with those.

November 16, 2011 in Kandahar, Afghanistan
Spc. James R. Burnett Jr of Wichita, Kansas died at age 21 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska. James is a graduate of Clearwater High School. James began his military career when he joined the Army Reserves before completing high school in 2009. He joined active duty about a year later. He completing basic training at Fort Benning, Ga. and arrived at Fort Wainwright in August 2010.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat and Special Skill Badge, Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Bar, Weapon: Rifle (Inscription: Rifle), Expert), and the Overseas Service Bar.
~press release from the army.

James was my stepson I met his father when he was 3. He was in and out of our home over the years as we lived in Missouri and his mother lived in Kansas. There isn’t a day goes by that we don’t remind ourselves that he isn’t “over there” fighting a war. He won’t be coming to this earthly home anymore. He lives on in our hearts.