Good People Doing Good Things
About three months ago my cuz Claretta Iles called me and asked me if we would help a Soldier out by building a site for a “Run for the Fallen”. I said “Sure, PICS will Help” and that is when I was introduced to Master Sargent Bubba Beason. Man, did my life change that day.
Bubba walked into my office and instantly engrained himself into the hearts of everyone that works here at PICS. He was a young strapping buck, fit as a fiddle, armed with a smile that you would not expect on someone named “Bubba.” His wit was sharp as his uniform. He described to me his cause and why he was tirelessly working to remember the men and women from NJ that died for this great country in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He was telling me stories of young men and woman who gave their lives for us with tears in his eyes.
Bubba explained that for two hot days in August, on August 22 and 23rd, team members will run 134 miles from Cape May, NJ to Homedale, NJ, marking each mile with an American flag and sign card in an apolitical reflection of remembrance of each service member. The runners will be comprised of active duty and reserve Airmen and Soldiers from McGuire Air Force Base and Ft Dix, NJ. This team has been put together by good people doing good things not by some big organization, just by good Americans. PICS wanted to be part of this and wanted to help honor those brave New Jersey Soldier, Sailor, Airmen, or Marine killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The website http://www.njrunforthefallen.org was born. Bubba and Matt Manieri from PICS worked tirelessly to build the site, set up a blog and Paypal donation account as well as pages to document the death of each of the 134 fallen soldiers that will be honored in the run.
I said my life changed the day I met Bubba, and well it did. Bubba reminded me that there are so many more important things in life than what tends to occupy our days. There are real men and women, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters who put their lives on the line every day to protect us and keep us safe. I looked at Bubba’s list of fallen soldiers and saw my banker’s son, Spec. Bryan L. Freeman 31 years old, my realtor’s son, Petty Officer 1st Class David M. Tapper 32 yeard old, and 132 other young people that are no longer with us - that died for us. I feel like a slug thinking that all I did was help build a website for these fallen soldiers but at least I did something.
I encourage you to do something as well. Help Bubba support the Gold Star Moms organization by making a donation at the website. A Gold Star Mother is a mom that has lost a son or daughter while in defense of our country and they are everywhere and deserve your support. The money will help build a monument in Washington DC and allow the Gold Star Moms to continue their mission.
Thanks Bubba and thanks to all the Fallen Soldiers that sit on a wall for this country. I appreciate it!
Terry Rossi
PICS