Send your well wishes to Lt. Berschinski at Walter Reed

If you woke up this morning healthy and of sound mind, thankful for your beautiful family, grateful that you live in the greatest nation in the world, I would like to ask a favor of you.

The young boy who hung around with our kids, played on our public fields, strolled down our cart paths, proudly participated in our local Boy Scout Troop 175, receiving his Eagle Scout Award and graduated from McIntosh High School in 2002, was lifted off of the ground with explosive force, both legs torn away from his body, landing in the dust of far off Afghanistan. He woke up from the loss of blood and the drugs shoved into his system, in a hospital, battered, never the same.

Some of you have read about First Lieutenant Daniel Berschinski of the Army’s 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, 1st Battalion, and 17th Regiment, severely wounded on Aug. 17. In one step, he went from having the world in the palm of his hand to falling out of control when he stepped on an explosive device buried in the ground.

Try to imagine what Daniel’s parents went through when they got the phone call about their son.

We like to pile so much importance on useless, trivial things in our lives. Hopefully, the Daniel Berschinskis of this world will reawaken our hearts and minds, making us realize what is truly important.

Lt. Daniel Berschinski did not have to be in Afghanistan. In fact, he could have been anywhere doing just about anything he wanted, but he elected to serve us. And the servant took a powerful beating on our behalf.

Here is the favor I ask of you. Please take 10 minutes out of your day, either today or tomorrow, reflect upon how you would feel if you received the same phone call the Berschinski family did. Imagine what your reaction would be, walking into a hospital room and seeing your child, legs missing, worn.

I invite you to sit down and write a letter to this young man from our little city. Tell him thank you for protecting us, for choosing to serve. Send him a line of encouragement. Mail an uplifting book or a card.

Please do not let the distractions of the day keep you from remembering a neighbor kid who put his life on the line so that your family can enjoy the wonderful bounty this great country provides.

Thank you for doing the right thing. The address is below.

Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Attn: 1LT Berschinski

Ward 57, Bldg 2

6900 Georgia Ave, NW

Washington, DC 20307

Remember, if there were no Daniel Berschinskis throughout our country’s history, there would be no freedom.

[Steve Brown is the former mayor of Peachtree City. He can be reached at stevebrownptc@ureach.com.]

Well done, Steve

Submitted by tgarlock on Tue, 09/08/2009 - 10:20pm.

Terry Garlock

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Steve

Submitted by dawn69 on Tue, 09/08/2009 - 10:30pm.

I am logging off now to get to work on that letter. Thank you for giving us a very useful outlet in which to express our gratitude.

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