Post by Tori on Nov 5, 2003 15:24:49 GMT -5
I thought y'all might want to read this too:
(Editor's Note | I have received several responses to my last essay, Assassin's History. One, in particular, struck me to stillness. It was from a woman named Jane Bright, who lost her son in Iraq.
His name was Evan Ashcraft, he was 24 years old, and attached to Company A, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, of the 101st Airborne Division out of Kentucky. He was killed on July 24 when his convoy came under enemy fire north of Hawd, Iraq.
This is what his mother gave me. She is correct. We have had so much stolen from us with the unnecessary deaths of these fine young men and women. My heart breaks for her, and for all of the families of the lost.
If you are against this war, and yet are tired and discouraged, read of Evan Ashcraft and a life that should have been, and then get back to work.) - William Rivers Pitt
----
Dear Mr. Pitt,
I read your Truthout articles religiously. I must share with you the obituary I wrote for my son, Sgt. Evan Ashcraft, who was killed July 24
near Mosul. I am also attaching the statement I wrote that was read before Congress.
I often think of the contributions my intelligent, sensitive wonderful son could have made. He could have been President of the United States. He could have been a doctor caring for children in a Third World Country. He had so much potential.
He told us that when he came back from Iraq he wanted to help people. He said he had seen so much hatred and death that the only way to live his life was through aid to others. Look at what we've lost. The loss is not just mine, it's the world's loss.
Evan will always be alive in my heart. He and all the other victims of this heinous action in Iraq must be more than mere numbers emerging from the Pentagon's daily tally. His death is a crime against humanity and the fault lies with the war criminals who inhabit our White House.
Please share his story so that he may come alive to your readers.
Thank you for your efforts.
Jane Bright
---
Statement by Jane Bright Read Before Congress
My son, Sgt. Evan Ashcraft, was killed July 24, 2003 at 2:30 in the morning on a lonely road near Mosul, Iraq. He was 24 years old. He died alone, no family nearby, no one to hold his hand or pray over him as he left this world.
Evan was a gifted student, musician and athlete. He started college courses in mathematics and computer science when he was 13 years old. He played classical piano. He had hopes and dreams. He and his soul mate, Ashley, had big plans. Evan planned to get his college degree after he left the Army. Evan and Ashley had been married 3 years.
Evan was one of the best and the brightest. He was a leader, his team loved him and he them.
The young men and women who are dying in Iraq are our future generation of leaders. They are the future of America. They represent the best that America has to offer. Those who survive Iraq will undoubtedly face years of anguish over what they have witnessed in this immoral war, all in the name of oil. In the meantime we, the American public, sit by, mute, as we watch our young die. We must halt this unconscionable action in Iraq immediately and bring our young people home.
It's too late for my son, but it's not too late for the many tens of thousands still in Iraq. Bring them home now!
Jane Bright
Mother of Sgt Evan Ashcraft, Deceased
(Editor's Note | I have received several responses to my last essay, Assassin's History. One, in particular, struck me to stillness. It was from a woman named Jane Bright, who lost her son in Iraq.
His name was Evan Ashcraft, he was 24 years old, and attached to Company A, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, of the 101st Airborne Division out of Kentucky. He was killed on July 24 when his convoy came under enemy fire north of Hawd, Iraq.
This is what his mother gave me. She is correct. We have had so much stolen from us with the unnecessary deaths of these fine young men and women. My heart breaks for her, and for all of the families of the lost.
If you are against this war, and yet are tired and discouraged, read of Evan Ashcraft and a life that should have been, and then get back to work.) - William Rivers Pitt
----
Dear Mr. Pitt,
I read your Truthout articles religiously. I must share with you the obituary I wrote for my son, Sgt. Evan Ashcraft, who was killed July 24
near Mosul. I am also attaching the statement I wrote that was read before Congress.
I often think of the contributions my intelligent, sensitive wonderful son could have made. He could have been President of the United States. He could have been a doctor caring for children in a Third World Country. He had so much potential.
He told us that when he came back from Iraq he wanted to help people. He said he had seen so much hatred and death that the only way to live his life was through aid to others. Look at what we've lost. The loss is not just mine, it's the world's loss.
Evan will always be alive in my heart. He and all the other victims of this heinous action in Iraq must be more than mere numbers emerging from the Pentagon's daily tally. His death is a crime against humanity and the fault lies with the war criminals who inhabit our White House.
Please share his story so that he may come alive to your readers.
Thank you for your efforts.
Jane Bright
---
Statement by Jane Bright Read Before Congress
My son, Sgt. Evan Ashcraft, was killed July 24, 2003 at 2:30 in the morning on a lonely road near Mosul, Iraq. He was 24 years old. He died alone, no family nearby, no one to hold his hand or pray over him as he left this world.
Evan was a gifted student, musician and athlete. He started college courses in mathematics and computer science when he was 13 years old. He played classical piano. He had hopes and dreams. He and his soul mate, Ashley, had big plans. Evan planned to get his college degree after he left the Army. Evan and Ashley had been married 3 years.
Evan was one of the best and the brightest. He was a leader, his team loved him and he them.
The young men and women who are dying in Iraq are our future generation of leaders. They are the future of America. They represent the best that America has to offer. Those who survive Iraq will undoubtedly face years of anguish over what they have witnessed in this immoral war, all in the name of oil. In the meantime we, the American public, sit by, mute, as we watch our young die. We must halt this unconscionable action in Iraq immediately and bring our young people home.
It's too late for my son, but it's not too late for the many tens of thousands still in Iraq. Bring them home now!
Jane Bright
Mother of Sgt Evan Ashcraft, Deceased
My thoughts and prayers are with all of our men and women fightin' in this senseless war and the families of those that were lost in it. 
