Trad Gang

On Tuesday August 2, SSGT Kirk Owen was leading his squad of scouts (Alpha: 1/279: 45th IBCT), doing reconnaissance in the Kardiz region of Afghanistan when a large IED exploded under his vehicle. Twenty-one soldiers were injured; SSGT Owen was the only fatality. His platoon leader, also his best friend, was the first to reach him.

This brave solider who put himself in the most vulnerable position on purpose, in order to protect his young squad and was killed... was my baby brother.

I share this with you as a friend, knowing that many of you have had similar events touch your lives. I find it easier to write about this than talk to anyone. It goes without saying that this has been difficult for us. Especially for his two teenage daughters who knew that their father hung the moon and stars, and his wife that loves him more than can be described.

My parents, trying to be strong for everyone else, have had difficulty. As I stay in their house during this family crisis, I hear my mother crying late into the night. I watch my father take long walks in the woods and return with red eyes and tear stains on his cheeks.

My brother joined the military later in life than most. He felt a calling so strong he told me once it was truly physical. At 31 years of age he went to basic training and excelled. He went on to be top of his class where his MOS, his chosen career, was as a Chaplain's Assistant, the man guarding the back, of the man of God. He chose to alter his path and become full-time with the Oklahoma National Guard in an infantry billet. Yet, he was still that solider others could depend on, with a quiet message of faith. He moved quickly through Air Assault School and at the age of 36 became Ranger qualified. On the sixteenth of this month, he would have been 37.

I have just recently returned from Dover AFB in Delaware where I watched, with his wife, how reverently and dignified he was handled upon his arrival back to U.S. soil. Every Solider, Airman, Marine and Sailor had words of grief for their fallen brother. I say this so that those like my father (U.S. Army Ranger; 1961-1972), who served when this country had a different opinion of service men and women, can feel the sense of pride and honor that we all have after having witnessed my brother's dignified return.

I need no posts of prayers sent. I need no caring statements. I thank you for those without the need for expressing them. I know that all of you can understand my loss. He was my first, my best and my truest friend. The woods will always be dimmer and the colors forever muted now that my hunting partner has gone. We rely on the Good Lord to get us through this even though it seems to me that even His mighty arms are little comfort to me just now.

OkKeith

Keith,

He is with you.

Keith,

Heaven is blessed with another brave soul.

John 15:13.

I've got tears on my keyboard brother!

heavy and deep thinkings for you & familly

I have always made cetain that my children know why we live safe and free.

Keith, I know you don't want any prayers or special statements but i have to tell you, i have lost several friends and colleges in the past years since 911.  He is in good company with other patriots who will never truly be forgotten.  Stay strong for your family and celebrate his life.  I work with these men everyday and try to never forget how they keep our families safe at night while we sleep.  

"Rangers Lead The Way !"

Words of true heart and love of a brother and family for a fallen brother and son.

God be with you.

Tears are shed for you, your family, and for your brother's sacrifice and service. Your pain is shared Sir.

We are grateful for his service and sacrifice and mourn with you.

Prayers for you and your family.

Deepest condolences to your family Keith. My son is serving there in the 45th in an infantry company as well.

God bless him for his service, and you for your oh, so proper and caring words. I can only add by sending to our fallen brother these special words, from this old Marine - "Semper Fidelis, my brother in arms".

For our country.

Thank you for sharing with us.

God bless,Mudd

God Bless our hero SSGT Kirk Owen. My son is part of Chinook crew out of Kandahar.

You may not need the comments or prayers, but when we learn of our losing a great soldier, citizen, father, and family member we need to say them, even if in silence.  Your brother, his family, and you deserve that honor.

God Bless!

He is in the arms of God.
God bless you all.

The gates of heaven are saluting your brother as we speak.

"Semper Fi"

I'm so sorry to hear this. God Bless you all.

Wow, that hits close to home.  He's three days older than me.  God Bless you brother.

if not for brave souls like your brother, our lives would be much more difficult .  god bless you and your family in this difficult time.

No finer Eulogy could be uttered.

Peace.

May God bless and be with you during your time of loss.
Our prayers are with you.
Chuck,Chris and Jessica.

Thank you for the gift and God's comfort to you and yours.

May you find comfort,God Bless.

Thank you for sharing and peace be with you and your family.

You and your family are in my prayers.

My heart, thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

We pray for Gods peace for you and your family.

God Bless you and your family. His memory and honorable actions will live on through you.

I will honor your brothers service.  I will hold my hand over my heart(as I always have and will continue to do) at every football game this fall as I look to The Flag of The United States of America while the band plays the Star Spangled Banner. I am not ashamed!!! I am so thankful for what your brother did for my family and me. I will be watching both of my sons play of which the eldest is a senior and plans to serve our country upon graduation.  God Bless your family Friend.

Every time we lose another one of our boys my eyes swell up with tears.

I can not express in words how terribly bad I feel for you for such an incredible loss. I can only imagine the anguish that you and your family are dealing with.

All I can offer is my immense love and support for you, your family, and your baby brother.

His body will be treated with the utmost respect until it reaches it's final resting place on the sacred ground of a military cemetery. As it should for this American hero.

Military funerals are both the saddest and most beautiful things in the entire world.

I am so sorry for your loss sir.

My heart is heavy with the weight of a millstone. I pray for you & your family. Thank you for your sacrifice for my freedom.

You Sir,
In your statement have just done service to your brothers memory, Gods speed to your brother and your family.

I'll pray for you both.

Well spoken sir! I have the deepest respect for all our military men and women. Past and present.

Deepest sympathy's to You and your Family in these hard times .

May the Great Spirit comfort you and your family in the Great Sorrow.
But by the Grace of God, there go I....
My prayers for your brother, and also all those that serve.
Johnny/JAG

Tears on my keyboard as well brother.  Our spiritual freedom is provided by God, but our physical freedom is provided by brave men and women like your brother and we will always honor them and never forget their sacrifice.

I share your grief...

So sorry.. Thank You

Prayers for your family and all military families. I share your grief also. We are family here and we care about each other.

Sir,

He will not be forgotten, and it is at times like these that others carry us when we are not able.  Take care of the others and it is my hope and prayer that God Almighty will carry you.

Keith I know that you asked for no words, but my heart is full. Know that there are and will be many others to follow in his brave and dedeicated footsteps. One is my 12 year old son, all he talks about is becoming a Ranger and serving his country as your brother did. I hope he does (and have no doubt he will) serve with the pride and honor your brother did and does. Thank you to him, his family, and you and your family. God Bless.

May God grant you peace according to his timing.
Kirk

I dont know what to say

I thank your brother, you and your family for the freedom that myself and my family enjoy.

I know you said you did not need them, but I could not get through reading the entire post without stopping to say a little prayer for you and your family!!!!!

Bisch

Sorry for your family, our family, and our countries loss. Taps.

I truly understand your loss.  My son Sgt. Bradley S.Crose 1/75th, was killed in Afghanistan on 4 March 2002.  Ps. 19:14

Rick Crose

Kirk, let me say how sorry I am to hear of your brother. As a  ex 19D30 Scout myself, I understand the inherent danger of Recon. I know he is being comforted by our Lord , and he has stopped to rest with fellow Troopers at " Fiddlers Green". God Bless you and Your Family, and may he grant you all the strength to come through this time of Grief.

                                    Sutty
                            3/2 ACR 80-83
                            1/509 PIR 83-85

Kirk and Rick, I only wish I had something to say or do to make the hurt less...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I was saddened to read of this in the paper the other day, I believe it said he was from Sapulpa, OK.  I since have heard many conversations, in passing, of this great man.

Thanks for sharing your pain with us,
James

Well written, I want to thank your brother for giving us the freedom we enjoy.  My thoughts are with you and your family.

David Sisamis

Truly sorry for you loss.

SSGT Owen,  Thank-you and Gods speed.

Leland

sorry for your loss god bless

Keith, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in our prayers here, praying for the grace of God in your lives in this time of need.

 In Christ,

   Rusty <><

This month has been tough for the Oklahoma Army National Guard! Keep them in your prayers, they have a tough road ahead of them.

Thank you for sharing the memory of your brother with us. He is a warrior and a hero, but you dont need to be told that.

Prayer sent for your family.

I can't find words adequate to express my sorrow over the loss of another fine man and American Hero. We've lost so many.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I am very sorry for your loss.

Bob

prayers for you and yours in your tradgic loss.If I had a brother I would want him to be like you.

Prayers from my family to yours

Prayers are with your Family. God bless and keep your Brother.

God Speed, SSGT Kirk Owen.

Sorry for your loss. My family and I will be praying for you. God Bless

God Speed, Ranger.

It is obvious that your brother felt true love from each of you and in turn left each of you a better person for having had him as a part of your lives.

God bless him and your family as well.  Yall will be in our prayers.

Paryers for you and your family as my youngest son is over their right now

doug77

God Speed.  May the hand of peace touch you and yours.  

God bless all currently deployed troops and their families.

Thank-you for all the prayers, kind thoughts and caring statements. Both for me and my family.

Both my brother and I learned at an early age to "Drive on". As we were taught, we shall cry our tears of grief when we must, but we will make progress. With the Lords help we will...Drive On.

OkKeith

....    
I'm sorry.
Stay strong.

I hate to hear this!  My prayers go out to you and to all the family and friends he left behind!  Your post has taken me back, and I know there are no words right now that anyone can say that will ease your pain.  But maybe this will help you in some small way -- maybe not today, probably not tomorrow, but as time goes I hope it's meaning will somehow ease the pain.  It was read by my brother-in-law at my son's memorial service, and I read it every chance I get.

I Did Not Die
Submitted by: Randrew
Author: Melinda Sue Pacho
Do not stand at my grave and forever weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and forever cry.
I am not there. I did not die.

Keith, your words brought tears to my eyes, and those of my wife and my children.  Your brother is a hero, an American hero, and we are in debt to him and the other men and women in the armed services who protect this great nation.  God bless his wife and daughters and God bless your family.  You all will be in our thoughts and prayers in the coming days and weeks.

God Bless, snakebite

My sincerest condolences to you and your family. God Bless and take care of each other.

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to commit violence on their behalf.  George Orwell.

We should not mourn those who have fallen. We should thank God that those men exist.  General George Patton.

Your brother is the best that America had to give.  He served, and gave his all.  He lives on in the every day lives of all free men and women worldwide.

To a fallen brother in arms, I offer not a tear for his passing. Instead I offer my undying gratitude for the amazing gift he has given to my children and their childred.  Freedom!

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them".

(Laurance Binyon  1914)

god pless you & your family

Thank God for men like your brother that are willing to fight and die for what they believe in. Men like him are what formed America and we owe them everything. Hopefully we don't lose it because of a handful of fools.

I know you didn't need words. I know they don't bring him back. I felt, as others have, a duty to honor his passing somehow. What he did was selfless and I am genuinely sorry you lost your hunting partner and brother. As a free citizen, I owe my gratitude to your brother and men like him. He truly exemmplified putting others first. I will keep your family in my thoughts and remember how lucky I am to have time to spend with my two girls. They are 8 and 11. God bless you and your family.

May your family find comfort in your brother's bravery.

May your family and you find peace and comfort. Hes a brother for you to be proud of and an American we can all be proud of.

My name is Keith.  And I have a brother in the Army.  It made me think about my brother.  I am glad he is back from overseas now.  I hope your brother looks over your shoulder this fall and guides an arrow for you.

Now I have to go and wipe the tears from my eyes.

QuoteOriginally posted by Ragnarok Forge:
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to commit violence on their behalf.  George Orwell.

We should not mourn those who have fallen. We should thank God that those men exist.  General George Patton.

Your brother is the best that America had to give.  He served, and gave his all.  He lives on in the every day lives of all free men and women worldwide.

To a fallen brother in arms, I offer not a tear for his passing. Instead I offer my undying gratitude for the amazing gift he has given to my children and their childred.  Freedom!

Amen brother Amen!!!

God now has another soldier in heaven.

Thank you for sharing.

God Bless you and yours

Your brother paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us

Thank U

Sorry for your families loss. We all appreciate the men and women who fight for our freedom.

Very sad indeed sorry for your loss. TD.

Very sorry for the loss of your heroic brother.

prayers to you and your family..

The land of the FREE - because of the BRAVE!

Be STRONG and have COURAGE!

Prayers sent....

God bless, David Camp

God bless you and your family, Keith.. most of all your brother.

Love and leadership has a face-your brother!   Semper Fi

Those who go ahead are never forgotten but their loss is immeasurable. May you find peace in this difficult time.

Prayers sent from my House. RC

Your brother is true American hero god bless you and your famliy.

Keith, this is for you, your mom and dad, Kirk's wife, two daughters, Kirk's platoon leader, and proud warriors of Alpha 1/279, 45th IBCT:

May God's love and grace shine upon you, and bring you strength, peace, and understanding.

May God carry you in his arms and let his light shine upon you.

May you know that in Heaven, we shall all be reunited. Kirk will embrace his family once again. And Keith and Kirk shall hunt again!

And may you also know that until that day comes, Kirk will be with you.

Down every trail you walk.
In every stand you sit.

On every birthday.
On every anniversary.
On every holiday.
Every day!

Know that Kirk's death was not in vain. Know that he gave the ultimate sacrifice, in a war we did not start, yet a war we shall finish.

A family has lost a loved one. A nation has lost a warrior.

A warrior who stood up to be counted on when his country asked.
A warrior who faced evil, but asked nothing in return.
A warrior for whom this nation is forever grateful..as we are forever grateful to those who have fallen before him.

May God comfort the wounded.
May God guide them and carry them as their physical wounds heal.
May God guide them and carry them as their emotional wounds heal.
And God, bless them too for their selfless service.

May God comfort those still fighting.
Fighting for liberty.
Fighting for freedom.
Fighting for America.

God Bless you all and peace be with you...

"Hail Hail Infantry, Queen of Battle Follow Me!"

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!

"To the brave belong all things"

God Bless SSGT Owen...HOOAH!

Keith, I understand proably better than anyone else who has written of what you are feeling. My son was one of the first to fall in January, 2004 in Iraq leading his platoon with the 82d Airborne. It is hard to express your feelings to others and you will have many hard days to come. I find it hard at this moment to write this to you bringing back the memories. It doesn't get better.I just gets a little easier. Many honors will be given your brother here in our state and the surrounding area. Many of us get together to talk and suppor each other and meet at ceremonies honoring our hero's. I encourage you and your famaliy to attend these when invited especially in Enid and Amarillo, Tx. Talking with others helps. I know. Anytime you need to talk with a fellow traditional shooter and Okie my info is in my bio with Trad Gang. Just get hold of me.

Maj. Bradley James
AR, USAR, Retired

I  dont knoe what to say..my son id ther...1/6  Marines in  Sangin, helmand province  now.  I Fear the worst and have imagined the feeling u are having..i just dont know what to say

My condolences to you and your family.

Another hero...prayers sent...mark