THE WALL OF FACES

Stephen, I never got to meet you, but I am certainly thinking of you, and of your sacrifice, today. Words cannot express the gratitude we all feel for you going over there, and putting everything on the line. I am deeply humbled to think of what you gave up, and profoundly proud knowing that there are soldiers who came back because of you, and who went on to have families of their own. Thank you Stephen, I never had the chance to meet you, but I'm very honored to be part of your family.

I never knew you, but we have the same birthday. I will think of you every year on our day. Rest in peace.

I think of you quite often. How your life and death has impacted me. I believe you are in the great cloud of witnesses that looks down from heaven and cheers me on. I feel your Love and Presence near me. You were a man of peace, thrust into a battle, you did not believe in. Yet, you submitted to those in authority over you, and rose to the occasion and displayed to all, the man of Honor and Courage you were. You served your friends, with all your strength, caring for their wounds, visible and invisible. Binding them to make them whole. I know the compassion, that you had within your heart, must have touched your friends, in such perilous times. You were who they needed at that moment, to make it through. Thank you for being there for them. It did not go unnoticed in heaven, and your reward and position in eternity is great. We were all left with a huge gap in our hearts that only you could fill. A place forever empty, except for our memories, that we cling to, that keeps you alive in our hearts forever. You are a hero! I wonder how life would have been for us all, had you returned. I am comforted by knowing, you are in the presence of God and the Angels, basking in the atmosphere of heaven, where the very air is Love, in which everything else falls away, and you are filled with Joy. We will be reunited one day, with great rejoicing. But until that day, the pain of your loss, grips my heart and my tears easily flow. I will miss you until we can be together again. Please know, the Love I carry in my heart from you, strengthens me, so stay close by, so I don't feel alone. I know you watch over me, and have drawn people, with like spirits, towards my life, and they have made a difference, and a real impact in my life, filling in those gaps, that I know, you would have filled had you been here. Thank You! I wish more of your platoon buddies would write of their experiences with you, and how you impacted their time on the battlefield. I will Never say Goodbye, but until we meet Again. I LOVE YOU! Your sister, Eileen

Dear SP4 Stephen Paul Krug, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

(Photo Credit: David Olsen)

Rest in peace with the warriors.