A war. A son. A father's pride, fear, hope and faith.

Posted on Fri, Aug. 19, 2005

HUGH KEATING

Editor's note: Every American is affected by the war in Iraq, but none as emotionally as the families of our military. Here, printed with permission, is one father's view, expressed in a recent letter to family and friends.

The writer, Hugh Keating of Gulfport, is the father of 20-year-old Marine Lance Cpl. Hugh Dennis Keating Jr., 3rd Platoon, Company A, 4th Amphibious Assault Battalion.

Dear all,

Dennis called on the morning of Aug. 10 at 1:15 a.m. It was our first communication in two weeks and a blessing to hear his voice.

We all were aware of the horrendous losses the previous week in and around Haditha; the two sniper teams (six Marines) being ambushed in Haditha and the amtrac carrying 15 Marines being hit by a remotely detonated IED.

Dennis was in a trac approximately 100 meters to the rear of the trac that was hit. At the time of the explosion, he was on a trac with crew chief Cpl. Justin Rishel, a Long Beach, Mississippi, native and role model for all young leaders.

He witnessed the grim event and lost three really good buddies, one of whom had been a sergeant on the Command/Communications trac to which he was formerly assigned. He spent four months with Sgt. Bradley Harper while assigned to the Com trac and had grown to know and respect him as a friend.

It is my understanding that the personnel on the Com trac were reassigned a couple of weeks ago due to force reductions and reallocation of assets. Force reductions due primarily to reassignments, fatalities, injuries, and family emergencies. Asset reallocation related to equipment wear and tear. Dennis is currently operating as a mechanic on various tracs, on an as-needed basis kinda' like a utility infielder in baseball. He serves wherever they need him.

Not withstanding the losses of his brothers, Dennis sounded clear and strong. He said he was "as good as could be under the circumstances. It was a really tough week."

Of course, there have been other instances where friends have fallen, but not of this magnitude or in such close proximity. There are no physical scars, but there is surely an emotional impact. With God'�s help, in time, those wounds will heal. Psalms 91 gives him comfort.

Dennis has always been able to overcome life's critical challenges. I told him to keep the faith. He quickly responded, "I will."

His situation is not unlike most of his Marine brothers in this time of loss. They have an uncommon and remarkable resiliency born of honor, courage and commitment.

He asked if we had seen the photos. I responded that they were all over the Internet later the day of the event and on front pages of papers the next day.

Upon learning of the bombing early Wednesday morning, Aug. 3, my heart raced, my heart sank to my feet and breathing became difficult. But, upon thinking it through, I took some comfort because I knew he wasn't assigned to a trac that transported infantry (little did I know at the time that his circumstances had changed).

Immediately following the sense of relief that I gained from this logic, I was struck with guilt and remorse upon the realization that the fallen were the sons of others. It is one of the tragic ironies of war.

A Navy chaplain, speaking on this same subject during our Reserve Unit�s family day last Saturday, observed that such feelings are normal and that it is "a positive thing to have pangs of conscience about the less fortunate fallen or injured, while at the same time being thankful for the safety of your own. It reveals a concern for others."

That gave me some consolation. I asked the chaplain to try to address this moral and spiritual conflict in a theological reflection, perhaps in the September newsletter. I think it would be helpful not only to parents, but to the Marines as well. I hope he will do it.

The Family Day event was therapeutic. It's amazing how one can feel so connected to families who had been strangers moments earlier. We had prepared and signed �Welcome Home� banners for the unit's return.

After recovering from the shock of the IED attack, Dennis said the Marines continued their advance into Haditha. He reports that they "kicked some serious butt" and that after a week of "seek and destroy," the area which his unit patrolled was cleared of insurgent activity.

His group returned to the Haditha Dam and does not anticipate further need to revisit Haditha before they organize to return to the States. That, of course, is a fluid situation and could change on a momen's notice.

He commented that he cannot understand the level or depth of hatred that the terrorists have for Westerners.

I can. We are infidels in their minds and the only solution is to eliminate us, at all costs even at the cost of the lives of good and right-thinking members of the Muslim community.

Which leads me to the following: This war is not about oil, politics or power. It is about the preservation of our way of life. It is about freedom from those who would impose limitations on civil liberties and mind control as an alternative to death. It is about protecting our children and our childres children.

We did not start this war. This war is not going to be won in a day, but it surely can be lost if we do not stand firm against the scourge of hatred the radical terrorists espouse.

Terrorists are exporting violence across the world. If our country doesn't take a stand, who will?

If we are not willing to support the mission, how can we expect our troops to have the motivation to win?

One cannot say I support the troops, but not the mission. The two are inextricably tied together. If one fails, so does the other. Our forces must know that we understand and support the mission. They are in this conflict because they believe in providing national security to protect our freedoms. We must not fail them. If we do, we condemn our future to greater turmoil.

On a lighter note, Dennis happily reported that one of the Iraqi families took his trac under its wing while they were in Haditha and fed them home-cooked meals. On one occasion, the family offered up a lamb for slaughter. Two of the Iraqi freedom fighters with his group, with knowledge of how to field dress and cook a lamb, undertook the task with great joy.

The manner in which Dennis related the story sounded like that particular gift of sharing, of something so important to a family, meant a lot to the men. There was a feeling that, indeed, some Iraqis really do want the help of the United States. Perhaps a desire to be free from the terrorists does exist and Muslims of good and tolerant heart do want change. The actions of that family provided light in a time of darkness. In my view, moderate Islam can overcome radical Islam, if given the opportunity. We can co-exist peacefully. Our world will be a safer place if that occurs.

Later on the day of Dennis' call, my 22-year-old daughter, Erin, and I traveled to Bogalusa, La., to attend the funeral of Cpl. David Stewart, one of Dennis' �Gulfport unit buddies. It was sad and, at once, uplifting. The community support for the family was overwhelming. The church was overflowing.

We arrived 25 minutes early to a standing-room-only crowd forming outside the church. We were not able to get inside. However, we did travel in the procession to the gravesite.

The love and adulation we witnessed as we traveled was nothing short of incredible and inspirational. I don't think there was a residence or business on the funeral route that did not turn out with signs of support and American flags. The procession was at least two miles long. People were standing at attention with hands over hearts or holding flags the entire time, despite searing heat.

Let there be no doubt that this young, brave man sacrificed his life for a worthy cause. He may have breathed his last breath in his material body on this earth, but his spirit has been given eternal life through his sacrifice.

Cpl. Stewart did not die in vain; nor have any of our other brave warriors. They are all true heroes. Thank God for the men and women in service to our country past, present and future. It is what has and will continue to make this nation great. There is no substitute for freedom. God bless,

Hugh