Letter: A solemn thank you to those who died

Paul Syverson was one of my son's best friends, both 1989 Hersey graduates.

Paul went on to VMI, graduated, served in the 24th Infantry Division, Field Artillery and Special Forces. In 1998, Paul was assigned as a Team Leader on several deployments, including Iris Gold, Desert Fox and Desert Spring.

When CIA agent Johnny "Mike" Spann was killed in an Afghanistan prison, Paul led the Special Forces that were sent in to retrieve his body and curtail the intense fighting, resulting in Paul being badly injured in the November 2001 uprising in Mazar-i-Sharif.

One month later, in December of 2001, Paul was to stand up for my son's wedding, but instead, he was recovering in a German hospital and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Paul received many awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the NATO Medal. He subsequently earned the rank of Major.

Paul was killed on June 16, 2004, at the age of 32, in Balad, Iraq, just two weeks shy of returning home to his family, leaving behind his lovely wife Jackie, a 7-year-old son and a newborn daughter.

I traveled to Arlington National Cemetery for his funeral services, a solemn, emotional ceremony.

The funeral procession through that beautiful cemetery (stepping to the beat of the military drummers), the riderless horse (empty boots positioned backwards in the stirrups) and his flag-draped casket on the caisson were heart-wrenching, 21-gun salute overwhelming.

This holiday weekend, take a moment to remember those who served and never came home. Thank you, Major Paul R. Syverson III, for your service, your ultimate sacrifice.

May God bless your soul, the souls of all those who never made it back home and those left behind.

Mary Kay Arndt

Arlington Heights