Dear anyone and everyone,
The greatest lesson I’ve learned in the past few years is that
a day can change everything… I think back to a day in fourth grade when my
teacher asked us to sit down at our desks as she explained that planes were
intentionally flown into the Twin Towers and it hurt a lot of people. She taught us the word “hijack” as she
explained what happened to two other planes later that day. Twelve years later
I sit at my desk as a college senior, grappling with the same questions we
asked our teacher years earlier.
In an oddly
transcendent way, I believe that 9/11 created a world that I am eager to
understand. Without 9/11, I never would
have taken my Media and War class. I
never would have started this writing project about LCpl Eric Ward. I never
would have met the Szwydek’s who encouraged me to reach out to Eric’s family,
and I never would have been invited to a platoon reunion where I was welcomed
with open arms by Eric’s friends and family.
It’s no consolation, but I have to admit that I am thankful
that I’ve gotten to learn so much from such a difficult situation. The
experience has sparked my interests in everything from national security to use
of the GI bill, Gold Star Families and veterans… One might say that it even taught
me how to drink Jack Daniels into the wee hours of the morning… In any case, it
has pushed me to wander into a world that I hope to be a part of for the rest of
my life.
Every single day has been a learning experience and I am
thankful to everyone that made it happen.
I look forward to getting to know many of you better and I am eternally
grateful for the friendship and stories you have shared with me. As an attempt to pay it forward, I’ve decided
to run the Marine Corps Marathon 10K, my first real race, on behalf of LCpl Eric
Ward. I made the pledge to raise $500
for the Tragedy Assistance for Survivors program (TAPS) and I hope that this
story has compelled people to support a very important cause. (Here is my
donation page if you wish to make a donation!
Any amount helps- CLICK HERE FOR TAPS DONATION PAGE! *I am also running with a group called "Wear Blue and Run to Remember." Monica, Eric's mom, gave me a jersey to wear during the race and she connected me with other members of the group!*
For everyone who has kept up with this project and to
everyone who is looking at it for the first time, I want to say that it has
been a remarkable experience. I am not
afraid to quote J.K. Rowling in one of the most important projects I have ever
worked on. I find her words are uniquely
fitting in this moment: "No story lives unless someone wants to listen." Thanks to everyone who has listened to this story. It wouldn't have been the same without you.
I can’t believe I am closing this chapter. It doesn’t feel like a project anymore, its real life, real stories, real people and finally, real friendships.
Thanks again,
Audrey
Oh yeah…Thanks to Mum and Dad who have supported me through
all of this… I knew I was making the right decision when I came home that
weekend and you guys gave me stack of books about war that you though I would
enjoy. Thanks for answering the phone
when I called home late at night wanting to talk about Just War Theory and the
CNN effect. I’m glad you’ve raised me to be a dweeb and I really appreciate the
fact that you guys didn’t panic when I decided to change career paths as a
second semester junior…
__________________________________
__________________________________
