Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Andrews receives a son lost to Iraq war.


Here is one who Andrews sends off to war and what happens when he doesn't come walking back.

In a packed building just off Highway 176, with Maj. Gen. John Defreitas and dozens of US Army personnel present and a flag-draped casket front and center, a slender young woman in a black dress, a widow at 19, sits with thoughts about her husband, her hero, her everything.

Brooke Bevel's demeanor is strong, stronger than you'd expect from one so young. One senses she wants Ray to be proud of her.

She shares from one of his letters displayed at the McNett Chapel. Apparently he had a wonderful, fun-loving sense of humor, and it comes through in his letters from Iraq. Then there was the serious side, as he constantly assured everyone that he would be fine, fine, fine...and that everything would be okay.

He likely promised her, like most self-assured young military patriots, that he would come home. And he did; for Cpl. Ray M. Bevel lives in each and every heart of the one thousand plus Americans gathered to honor him and his family at The James Roberts Community Center on this Monday afternoon.

One of the photographs he sent her from Iraq showed him close-up, sitting probably in a Humvee, grinning, and one could just imagine from the expression in his eyes..."I luv U, Brooke." Another showed him signing autographs for youngsters while home on leave, confirming his status as a true hero to the youth with whom he so loved to interact.

It all began when a knock came on Saturday evening, 21 April 2007, and a United States Army Sergeant stood in a doorway on Northwest 11th Street. Almost immediately Jerry and Lonna Bevel's home was crowded with neighbors, co-workers, friends and family who rushed there when they heard. American flags suddenly bloomed in the front yard and at every home in the Bevel's neighborhood; indeed from the SE to the NW, from the NE to the SW, Andrews soil sprouted the Red, White and Blue.

When the time came to meet a chartered military aircraft at Midland International Airport, it was soon apparent that the entire Permian Basin must be aware of the police-led motorcade's procession route to bring Ray home to Andrews. Before the hearse could even exit the airport there were large groups of people along the roadside, with hats off, hands over hearts, salutes, hand-painted signs and American flags waving.

When the motorcade finally approached Andrews' city limits, led by fifty plus Patriot Guard motorcycle units, the crowds became much more dense. When it turned up North Main Street the vehicles were forced to slow as hundreds pressed forward to reach out and touch the hearse, as well as the family's limousine. Auto-focusing lenses were much appreciated now, as it would have been impossible to manually focus through tears.

Corporal Ray Bevel was just a few months past his 22nd birthday when he was killed by an IED roadside bomb on April 21st in Yusifiyah, Iraq. He was serving with the 10th Mountain Division, Air 1, Charlie Company, based in Ft. Drum, New York.

To date (April 21, 2007) 298 soldiers with Texas connections have been killed in the Iraq war, Cpl. Ray Bevel is the first from Andrews.

A significant mentor in Ray's youth, Doug Kello, officiates at the service. Everyone smiles when he mentions Ray's caring for his comrades by sharing Lonna's SOUTHWEST CARE PACKAGES, and they chuckle when it's revealed the soldier's favorite item was the 'Rip It' energy drink, which they were convinced could only be found at Porter's Thriftway in Andrews, Texas.

It occurs to me that it has been just over 60 years since the anniversary of D-Day, and am reminded of the sacrifices of those who died abroad then to save the world from tyranny.

The war in Iraq is different in many ways, but no matter your stance on this war, it seems there are two enduring similarities. First, our soldiers, like Ray Bevel, are the best and the bravest, because the values they fight for are the most highly prized.

Second, the cost of war is borne most heavily by the young and their families.

Another thing comes to mind. In the Bible, it seems as if angels show up every time something important happens. Then we can be assured that for Ray, and for our other valiant soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice - when the call came from God - the angels were right there, right there.

It may appear on the surface Ray was defeated -- not so -- he was not. The people who brought harm to him...I doubt anybody will remember their names for two minutes.

Ray's extended family sings for him. Projected on a large screen are snapshots from a young man's life: birth and childhood, church and baptism, soccer and middle school, high school graduation and marriage to Brooke, military service.

The huge crowd files out behind Ray's casket, several raising the small American flags they have been carrying with them for days.

Army Honor Guardsmen escort the casket to Andrews North Cemetary, where Ray joins the many other war veterans from Andrews.

Rifle volleys, Taps follow. Six pairs of young, practiced hands fold Ray's American flag with precision. Brooke already has his Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal and other Distinguished Service Medals.

They give her the flag that covered his casket.

My eyes are drawn to the heavens, where in my mind's eye, Black Hawk helicopter's fly overhead...in formation.

One peels off and is gone.