The Immeasurable Cost of War

Have you ever considered the cost of war?  If you are a citizen of the United States of America, on September 11, 2001, you became very aware of the cost of war.  We have been waging the war against terrorism for many years, and we as a nation understand the burden and the cost of war.  It's not just the monetary cost, but the loss of lives, families torn apart, sacrifices made, and many other cost that are hidden and lost in the battle being fought every day.

No family wants to open the door to find military personnel standing there with news of a loved ones passing.  When that happens, that family will be forever conscious of the immeasurable cost of war.  Yesterday our family experienced that, and now we are with every thought and every feeling made aware of the cost.  Never again will we think of war as a war being fought on a far off shore.  Never again will we hear of a soldiers passing, feel sorrow in our heart, acknowledge the loss, but not be touched to the very depths of our souls.  Yesterday, our family understood you cannot measure the cost of a war, because you cannot measure loss of a loved one in dollars and cents.  You cannot measure the depth of sorrow, of loss, of despair.

Yesterday, Nathan's parents and step parents lost a son.  How do you measure the cost?  Yesterday, Nathan's wife and daughter lost a husband and a father.  How do you measure the cost?  Yesterday, Nathan's grandparents lost a grandson. How do you measure the cost?  Yesterday, Nathan's brothers and sisters lost a brother.  How do you measure the cost?  Yesterday, Nathan's aunts and uncles lost a nephew.  How do you measure the cost?  Yesterday, Nathan's cousins lost a cousin.  How do you measure the cost?  Yesterday, America lost another soldier.  How do you measure the cost?  

Life will go on, because that's the cycle.  The aching wound will heal to some degree.  The void will not feel so empty over time, and can be filled with memories of Nathan, but it will always be there.  Through Ella Jo, echo's of Nathan will live.  As a family, we understand the immeasurable cost of war.

On Tuesday, Nathan's mom posted the following on her Facebook status. "A normal person has 1,000 wishes. A deployed SOLDIER only has one; to come home safe."  We read it, we hoped it would be true for Nathan, and all who serve.  Tomorrow Nathan's immediate family will arrive in Delaware to bring Nathan home.  When you think of that flag draped casket, remember the family and the service man who understand the immeasurable cost of war.  Don't think just of our family, remember all who have paid the price.


And today on Natalie's status:   Many brave men & women have served our country and some have paid the ultimate price. SPC Nathan Beyers, my beloved son, a loyal brother, a devoted husband and a proud father, was killed in Iraq yesterday. I am honored to have called him son and am eternally grateful for his sacrifice. Thank you, Nathan, you are my hero. I love you and I will miss you so much.