A Heart Full of Sorrow

I know that I was not supposed to be on here until Memorial Day, but this is too urgent to wait. It is my Memorial Day post early...one of them.

One of my favorite things to do is to write "my" soldiers. I am a member of one of the many groups who make/write cards or letters to soldiers...either oversees or at home. We get requests for birthdays, get-wells, encouragements, and sadly, for condolences.

A few months ago, I received a request for a get-well card for a marine named Robert. But, this was not just an ordinary get-well. This young marine was just home from Iraq, shopping with his girlfriend, when he got shot by two muggers...in the neck. He was in the ICU. Of all the 40+ soldiers I have written so far, his name was always in the back of my head. I was excited the day I looked in the mailbox to find a thank you note from his aunt, I was excited to see his face in a picture for the first time too. It was like meeting him face to face. I was excited and thankful to hear that he was recovering well, and had moved out of the ICU.

Two weeks or so ago, I received a letter asking for another note to be sent to him, to let him know that we still cared and to give him encouragement. I did it happily.

Fast forward to this morning, May 21, when I came out for breakfast. My mom told me that Robert had died the day before...from a massive heart attack. My heart swelled with sorrow for him, for his family, and for his friends. It has been a hard day for me too. He was doing so well. he was getting stronger! But, God had other plans for this 20 year old. And, we must never question our Creator's plans....for they are always right, even though hard to take at times.

I'm just thankful that he got my note in time. I have no assurance that he was saved. But, I can be hopeful that something in one for the many cards that were sent to him, and the dozens of prayers that went up to God for Him, may have helped him in some way. I pray and hope he saw that he was lost in need of saving. I hope he saw in time. Please pray for his family, please.

Memorial Day has a whole new meaning this year...a whole new meaning.

The Report:

LCpl Robert Crutchfield, a Marine shot in Cleveland robbery, diesTuesday, May 20, 2008Mark PuentePlain Dealer Reporter Robert Crutchfield had dreamed of joining the Marine Corps since grade school. He joined the Marine ROTC at Bedford Heights High School and left for boot camp days after graduating in 2006. He survived 14 months of gunfire in Iraq. But the 21-year-old lance corporal returned home for Christmas and was shot in the neck by two robbers on Jan. 5 at a bus stop at East 72nd Street and Superior Avenue. Crutchfield died Sunday night from his injuries. His family wished he would have stayed longer in Iraq. "That's the horror of the whole thing," said Alberta Holt, an aunt. "At least he would have known who was shooting at him. It would have been easier to take." Holt said her nephew wanted nothing more in life than to serve his country. While home on leave, Crutchfield learned he would be shipped back to Iraq in February. He didn't share stories about the 14 months he had already spent in a military-supply company, his aunt said. Crutchfield and his girlfriend were at the bus stop after grocery shopping. He stepped out of the shelter and two men grabbed him and threw him against a telephone pole, said Lt. Thomas Stacho, police spokesman. Ean Farrow, 19, and Thomas Ray III, 20, both of Cleveland, ri fled through Crutchfield's pockets before one of them shot him in the neck, Stacho said. Both men were arrested shortly after and charged with attempted murder, aggravated robbery and felonious assault. Prosecutors will now consider filing additional charges against them, Stacho said. Crutchfield planned to study architecture in college after serving in the military. Crutchfield, Holt said, never caused trouble as a teenager and loved to read books. He spent weeks rehabilitating at MetroHealth Medical Center and a nursing home after the shooting. He had been doing well with his occupational and speech therapy and started eating solid foods a few weeks ago, Holt said. But on Saturday he came down with a high fever and an infection. He suffered a massive heart attack. His grandmother and sister were at his bedside.

Please feel free to drop a note to His family on the site.

~Robert's Site~