War is a sad time. Whether or not you or someone you know are currently serving, seeing reports of fallen soldiers in the news is always sad.
I did not know Specialist E-4 James Allen Walters of Whiteland, but my heart goes out to his family and loved ones. He was killed in action on July 1 when his unit was attacked in Afghanistan by insurgents detonating an improvised explosive device.
Twenty-one year old Waters, for those of you who also did not know him, joined the military in 2009. He did his basic training in Fort Benning, Ga. before being assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum, N.Y.
Last March, he was deployed in Afghanistan.
His funeral services were held last week at Whiteland Central High School. During the service, his family was notified that Waters was promoted from private first class to Specialist E-4. More than 750 attended the funeral service to give their respects and to say their final goodbye to Spec. E-4 Waters.
Shortly after the funeral, his family was also notified that he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Operation Enduring Freedom and a Purple Heart as a result of his wounds in action.
What Spec. E-4 Waters and his family did for this country is immeasurable, and we should all feel indebted to them.
As a country, we need to make a conscious effort to not wait until Veterans Day to give thanks to those who have or are still serving, or Memorial Day to remember our fallen soldiers. We need to be thankful every day, and not just the days when our calendar tells us to do so.
Next time you are in town and you see military personnel, give them thanks. Also, if you have a second, write to the Waters family, Garry and Valerie Waters, and give them your support. As Americans, we must stick together in these trying times and show one another our support and our gratitude.
