Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori
I never met Army Specialist Charles Jankowski. I never went to school with his sisters. I never worked with his parents. But I, and many other strangers, still mourned his untimely death in Iraq last month. He was supposed to come home soon. Now, because of another person’s cruelty, he’ll never meet his young nephew, never take his little sister to prom, and never spend another lazy afternoon with his girlfriend.
Everyone has their own opinions on the war in Iraq. But death is regrettable no matter how you look at it. What amazed me though, was how people who didn’t even know Spc. Jankowski turned out Monday to pay their respects.
I live close to Wilson Funeral Home. I passed it several times this weekend and once again Monday on my way to work. Each time I passed, the Patriot Guard was out front with flags in hand. The parking lot was packed with people coming to comfort the family. When I passed Monday, there were even more people there for the funeral.
In the afternoon, the funeral procession went down Harrison Avenue past the station. Many employees stood out front. Some who are veterans saluted when the hearse rolled past. I caught a glimpse of one of Spc. Jankowski’s sisters as she was driven by. She had obviously been crying quite hard. My heart went out to her, and I almost started crying, too.
After a little while, I walked back into the station with Larche, my news director. He tried to say something to me, but I couldn’t reply. If I tried, I knew I’d start sobbing.
Spc. Jankowski was only 24. He was a few years younger than me, but he saw things I most likely never will or can imagine. My brother-in-law is in the Army. The last time he was home he told me about some of the things he’d seen in Iraq. He said there were many times where his unit was awakened in the night by enemy attacks. Everyone would come running out of their tents in whatever they slept in, guns in hand. He said he saw some awful things over there. Like Spc. Jankowski, he never really told his family much about what he did there. He didn’t want his family to worry more than they already did. I imagine that was why Spc. Jankowski did the same.
My sister and her husband are stationed in Germany right now. Rona and I have been emailing each other about Spc. Jankowski.
We both sobbed over Bree Sison’s interview with his family and girlfriend. My fiancé asked me what was wrong Saturday when he saw me sitting in front of the computer crying. I told him I had to wait until Saturday to watch her story. There was no way I could watch it and still try to work. My sister was torn up by the footage of Spc. Jankowski’s body being taken off the plane Friday and his sisters and mothers crying for their brother and son.
Mark’s story on his funeral did an excellent job of pulling it all together. It was tasteful and it really made you empathize with the family. He didn’t intrude. The part at the end with the doves made me choke up.
Regardless of how you feel about the war, I believe you should read the articles posted on WMBB.com about Spc. Jankowski. He was more than just another name. He had a family. He had hopes and dreams. I think we all should remember our fallen heroes as more than just names. By learning about their lives, I think you best honor their memory.
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About Me
I'm a fourth generation Floridian. I have degrees from Chipola Junior College (when it was still a junior college) and the University of West Florida. When I was at UWF, I lived off of exit 13. Back in Panama City, I began working at News 13 on November 13th, 2006. Thirteen has proved to be my lucky number. Last year, I joined the Panama City Roller Derby League. When I'm not providing the Panhandle with the latest news, I'm tearing up the track with over 20 other roller girls, two of which are also News 13 employees. I'm sure I drive everyone at work insane with all my talk of derby. But hey, that's how I roll.
Recent Entries:
- I’m Going to Read Like Its 2009
- Our First Christmas
- New Traditions and New Paint
- Better Together
- 28 Days
- Nice Day for a Fit Wedding
- Seek and Ye Shall Find
- Do Not Panic! Or at Least Panic in your Predesignated Subgroups!
- This is my Cat Post
- Help Me Get Married!!!
- Star Search
- Zen and the Art of Wedding Planning
- Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori
- Here’s to Health and Lots of Tea
- Ch-ch-ch-changes
Other News13 Blogs:
- The Casual Historian - Larche Hardy
- Derby Girl - Enocha Van Lierop
- The Newby - Jessi Chapin
- Gainesville, Georgia's All American Girl - Tuquyen Mach
