~A Father's Prayer~

We received another email from Mr. Robert Stokely last night, reminding us again of the high cost of freedom ~ not just for the soldies themselves, but also their families. We are humbly grateful for the service and sacrifice of Sgt. Mike Stokely, his family, and all our military heroes. "Thank you" will never be enough, though it's all we have to offer.

God bless you and your family, sir. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us as we approach the first anniversary of Mike's death this coming Wednesday, August 16.

0400 hours, 13 August 05, a dad awakens from his nightmare and restless sleep, worried for the safety of his son serving near Yusufiyah Iraq, south of Bagdhad. It has bee a very hard three months since his son went to Iraq via Kuwait. His son has lived in harsh conditions with hostility all around. 11 Georgia National Guard 48th Brigaded soldiers have died in and around his sector in the previous two and a half weeks from IEDs and a suicide car bomber. The dad has reason for his concern.

During this three month period the dad has kept cash, credit card, passport, one change of clothing in a carryon bag, and airline schedules for flights to Germany handy. He is ready for his research tells him a seriously wounded son is sure to be airlifted to Lanstuhl and that Germany has a good internal transportation system, especially rail, and any airport into Germany will put him close to a connection if need be.

But on this morning, the dad simply begins to pray. "God, please protect Mike and bring him home safe - please let him come home safe..." And then, the dad stops praying - he is alone as his wife is at work, and he is afraid. The dad then feels suddenly ashamed, for he realizes that American solidiers have died nearly daily in the months since his son entered Iraq. The dad then apologizes to God, telling God it is not fair for him as a dad to expect God to protect his son when that may not be God's Will and plan and to more or less, go pick someone else's son to die. So the dad changes his prayer and asks God "If it is your Will that Mike be spared, please do so and bring him home safe; but, it it is your Will to take Mike, please take him as mercifully as possible and please let him be with his best friends who love him and will see after him in that moment.

It is now 2045 hours on 12 Aug 05, and this dad is alone again this night as his wife works as a nurse in an Atlanta area hospital. This dad dreads the coming night, for it is a year of firsts and this night will mark the one year mark since he prayed the above prayer at 0400 hours 13 Aug 05.

Robert Stokely
proud dad SGT Mike Stokely
KIA by IED 0220 hours 16 Aug 05
near Yusufiyah south of Baghdad
E Troop 108th CAV 48th Brigade GA NATL Guard US Army