Prayers have been issued.
THIRDWAVEDAVE | Homepage | 07.04.05 - 12:46 am | #

"The identity and “story” of the SEAL that was recovered today will probably never become public knowledge, and that’s the way it has to be. "

I hope it won't be. I know his identity. He will probably want to get back to work as soon as possible, and his need for anonymity is greater then the public's desire to hear a juicy story.

Secondly, I agree with the 'enough is enough' theory. On all counts. I'm a spouse who's husband is in a zone and I'm so sick and tired of hearing 'unnamed sources' talking about the fate of the guys that are missing. Those guys are guys we know, guys that we care about. Until the command tells us or the DOD puts out the official report, it is painful to hear all the 'unnamed sources' talking about the fate of the three missing, when the stories I have heard have varied from 'bodies being recovered' to 'there's no reason to think they're not alive and well'.

I don't know how to ask this more clearly, but please, please, please, if you've heard a rumor from someone who's in the military and knows someone who knows someone who knows the story, please don't relay your information. If you know someone who is 'in the know' but who isn't willing to give their name publicly, don't give out their statement. It's either wrong or something that the family or family members of the command don't know yet.

And lastly, my complaint isn't toward Froggy or Scott or any of the information they put out that is known to be true. It's the other crap I'm seeing all over the internet. That I haven't been told by my husband's command. They won't put out the information until they know it to be fact. I wish everyone was so careful, but in their zeal to get the story out they forget that real people are worried about their loved ones.

Thanks for letting me vent.
KJ | 07.04.05 - 12:50 am | #

KJ,
You are the reason I asked my friend for this letter. I am pleased that it's intentions and purposes have been met. I am trying to provide accurate, verified information IN CONTEXT so that these wild speculations will not proliferate.
Froggy | Homepage | 07.04.05 - 12:57 am | #

froggy,
That did my heart good.

I would like to talk to you through e-mail, if you don't mind.
KJ | 07.04.05 - 12:59 am | #

Froggy, thanks for passing that on to us. It's an excellent reminder.

And KJ, thank you for the perspective that gives what Matt's friend said even more impact. Thank you also (beyond my ability to express), for your sacrifices and courage as the wife of a deployed military man. God bless you both, and your fellow military families. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with all of you, as they have been all week.
Beth | 07.04.05 - 1:16 am | #

Aye, aye, Sir! (Snappy salute.)
Indigo Red | Homepage | 07.04.05 - 1:22 am | #

KJ, thank you for your post and for your strong heart and courage. I continue to pray for the troops on this mission and for those who wait at home. Once again, Froggy has come through with the perspective we need.
Karen | 07.04.05 - 1:35 am | #

Our Flag is up now, and this weekend it is flying for you guys, specifically. I cannot help thinking that every time I look at it.
Mr. Atos | Homepage | 07.04.05 - 3:04 am | #

Froggy, I couldn't agree with you more!

Thank you for keeping us updated and for giving us insight as well as information.
Barbara | 07.04.05 - 3:05 am | #

These words are indeed wise - we don't need to know any of these details. Our prayers for the men who are still not accounted for, and for the families of all of those lost, are what we Need. Thanks for sharing this letter.
Barb | Homepage | 07.04.05 - 3:23 am | #

Wise words to be remembered by all. Too bad this isn't being posted in the national news. Prayers continue. Thank you for posting this and all your updates.
StealthMom | 07.04.05 - 4:48 am | #

Well put, and KJ, I'm praying for you and the other families. So is my whole family.
adele | 07.04.05 - 7:15 am | #

Froggy & KJ....

Exellent piece and response on the need for confidentiality in military affairs such as this one. The "transparency" the main stream media outlets seem to want is dangerous. No right to knowledge trumps the right to life. The lives of special operators, even ordinary infantry and support elements, when engaged in an on going conflict are at risk from loose lips, to paraphrase a WWII saying. Small teams working in deep injun country rely on anonymity, they know the risks, and do not seek fame or fortune, or they'd not be there. They are there in no small part to dedicate their lives to preservation of our way of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. All they ask is that we let them do it. Thye are already proud.

Another "danger" from "tranparency" is one that pops up in the Pentagon. Wild speculative publicity creates political havoc, and the reality is that the Pentagon folks will response to that hype and criticism as well, and not always in the best intersts of the mena and women in the field, nor their loved ones at home. Affaris such as this one are best handled like I used to handle my mother vis-a-vis phone calls when away from home: "No news can be the best news, if I am dead, the cororner will call you, If injured the hospital will call, if I am in jail, the cops will call or I will with my alloted one call, otherwise I am fine, okay."
aridog | 07.04.05 - 7:29 am | #

Matt,

Got back to my computer today after a couple of days in the “dark”, looking forward to my daily dose of Froggy. Needless to say my hart broke when I read this, I’m sitting here with tears in my eye reading and I quit honestly cont give a hoot about what anyone’s thinking. I realize you must have been flooded with e-mail’s and all sorts of communiqué, but please allow me to add my heartfelt condolences. I know it’s a small pebble amongst many, but believe me when I say this – this South African is truly sad beyond description and my heart not only goes out to the families of these warriors but also to those team mates left behind. I’m sorry!!

Stand Tall Mate!!!
Jan | 07.04.05 - 7:42 am | #

I'm out here in the average public just following this story. My first reaction to the news of this tragedy was: Lord I don't need to know the details of what's going on but there are still four men out there still alive and they need my prayers. I will pray and wait for action from on high.
Global View | 07.04.05 - 8:35 am | #

Your point about them being warriors, not victims is what makes this hurt so bad. We've lost some of our finest because they chose to risk it all for someone else - in a way, for me and my family.

I feel that as keenly as if I had watched them step in front of a train to give my daughter back to me. I don't have the words to say "thank you." I've come here every day since I heard, trying to think of some way to express my gratefulness for this incredible sacrifice and I've had to go away in tears, thanks unsaid.

I still can't find the words to express what I feel, but I have been praying and will continue to pray.

Thank you.
Lyana | 07.04.05 - 9:40 am | #

Thank God! What wonderful news to wake up to!
Barbara | 07.04.05 - 9:49 am | #

Froggy,

I just wanted you to know how much better KJ feels after your post. She is having such a hard time with this, and not being able to talk to her husband is in a sense, prolonging everything. With so many Team guys busy right now, it's so wonderful to have you and Scott helping readers out so much. Thank you again for being here for all of us.
frogsister | 07.04.05 - 10:47 am | #

Frogsister and everybody else,
I have seen these reports about a second SEAL rescued, but I am not going to put it up unless and until it is confirmed by a US source. Jumping the gun is a not just foolish, it is harmful to the families and it will not be done here.
Froggy | Homepage | 07.04.05 - 11:06 am | #

Matt, KJ and all, thank you for excellent wisdom. It is annoying to see some try to assign blame. It is counterproductive and (IMO) an act of malicious intent. I also think the "public's right to know" is a crock, especially when it comes to situations like this. Curiosity, even extreme curiosity in anyone at all attuned to this community, is normal, but curiosity does not equal right to know, and that bears remembering.

My heart goes out to the loved ones of the confirmed lost, and also to anyone (I am sure they know exactly who they are) still awaiting word of the fate of their guy.

Thanks also for reminding us that these guys know exactly what they are doing and the dangers involved. I know they all want to grow old watching their children and grandchildren grow up, but I also believe in my heart that, if they go in this way, they die doing what they love. I hope that does not sound at all callous. I think this is the essence of a warrior.
Peg C. | 07.04.05 - 11:58 am | #

Prayers going up for all concerned.
P. Campbell | Homepage | 07.04.05 - 12:02 pm | #

"curiosity does not equal right to know"- beautiful job of summation, Peg. I'm sure the Kennedys and the Durbins of the world will twist this into their own perverted perceptions of reality. But then, that's why I'm reading Matt's posts and not Congressional web sites. Prayers are ongoing for the three still out there as well as their brothers in the search.
Karen | 07.04.05 - 12:12 pm | #

Karen, I'm curious too (how can anyone not be?) but I'm avoiding the MSM on this. The dire speculations and dark cloud they attach to every silver lining is so counterproductive and just plain unpatriotic it's revolting. I am hoping and praying. This is the best place to come for comfort and reliable information. Matt isn't going to tell us anything we shouldn't know.

As for much of Congress and the MSM, my thoughts could hardly be darker. I suspect both of the basest of motives (and resent the hell out of them for it). But enough about that. Back to praying for our warriors.
Peg C. | 07.04.05 - 1:04 pm | #

When I first received word of the crash... via an email telling me it was not my son's unit involved... I started checking out the MSM stories. When I posted on my blog to let my friends know that Big Windy was okay, but somewhere there was a unit that wasn't. I said - pray for them. I also said, that the MSM is already in their mode of handing out bogus information - the biggest disservice they ever do! They speculate and then print it as fact - this makes me so angry!

The first day, I knew that we would find out what we needed to know... not from the MSM but from the military - once the rescue operations were complete.

When I found out it was Special Ops - I also knew we wouldn't find out everything - which is as it should be. For the protection of those who will have to continue the fight - not knowing details is the difference between life and death for these guys. I have been praying since the word came out. And I find myself crying again while writing this. God bless them and their families. God be with the families of the fallen.
Teresa | Homepage | 07.04.05 - 1:15 pm | #

They, and their families are in our thoughts and prayers...
Agnieszka and family
Agnieszka O. | 07.04.05 - 1:15 pm | #

Happy Independence Day.

No editorials today- just thanks and prayers.

My thanks to all who have served and are dead, including my father.

My thanks to all who served and are still with us, including my brother.

My prayers for those who now serve, including my God-son.

JCW
JCW | 07.04.05 - 1:18 pm | #

The prayer lines in Heaven are ringing off the wall, and the Angels are answering every one. They love to be of service also.
God bless America, on this special day.
Chevy Rose | Homepage | 07.04.05 - 1:21 pm | #

Prayers away, Chief.
Had these men died in a training accident in the states, they would be no less Warriors, doing their duty, protecting all of us. I never even managed to sign up, they face danger every day, training hard, working harder, and hitting the bad guys in indian country the hardest. Independence costs- men like this are the ones who pick up the tab for us- Remember that, especially today.
douglas | 07.04.05 - 1:40 pm | #

Good reminder, Froggy.

Warriors all, heroes all.


Happy Independence Day to everyone at home and abroad.
Indigo Red | Homepage | 07.04.05 - 1:45 pm | #

The SEAL's order accepted! Right on sir. Have been in prayer and continue! God hears and answers! May God keep all of you in the hollow of His hand! Thanks you all so much for your service! Happy but difficult 4th. Semper Fi from a Marine. Out.. and in prayer
Robert Coie | 07.04.05 - 2:02 pm | #

Prayers have been given and will continue to be given. Monetary support was given and will be continued to be given.

This by a thirty-eight year old family man who wishes he could turn back time and join one of these military organizations to fight side by side with these GIANTS!

Please know that many of us civilians out here KNOW that the freedom and liberty of our children are dependent upon what you are doing out there!

God bless all of you and your families!
James Powers | 07.04.05 - 2:38 pm | #

We wait to hear....

Just checking in...

Thinking of you all.

I have no need to know any details; just "are they home yet?" Other people can work that other stuff out. Remembering these important people, and their families, on this most important day.
adele | 07.04.05 - 3:44 pm | #

E.A.

Anyone who would post the comment that you did - especially at this time - would not have the first idea about what these brave men mean to their team mates, their country and civilians like me. I'd like to feel sorry for you, but I can't.
Barbara | 07.06.05 - 10:13 pm | #

Barbara, I am looking for EA's offensive post... where can I find it?
adele | 07.07.05 - 1:47 pm | #