This post is written by our dear Victoria, a true battle buddy active duty Air Force spouse. Please visit her blog My Military Family on our blogroll.
Nick Alden was a good guy. Loved his wife, did right by her and his two small children, worked hard, and fulfilled his duties as security forces. Good Airman. He served a tour here in Alaska, then packed up and took his family to England, just as he was ordered.
And now… he’s dead. Why? No good reason. He didn’t pass away of some inherited family disease. We didn’t lose him to a car accident. No… some piece of poo radical Muslim decided to pick a fight with a bus full of United States Airman and pull a gun. Nick threw himself at the shooter to stop him, and now…
Trish is alone in Europe with her two small children. She’s a 23 year old widow.
I cried a lot of yesterday evening. I am slightly unaware of how much, as I often fight the feeling. I welled up a lot, and am still violently irritated with myself for not being stronger when Trish let me know.
I mean, I’ve known this young woman. I’ve mentored her, listened to her, watched her grow, wiped her tears, held her babies in my arms… I’m nauseated just thinking about how Nick came out with Lilly, their older baby girl, and loaded her up into my car when Trish was in labor with Will. He thanked me. I hugged him and wished him great luck and blessing with Trish during those next few hours. Lilly and I drove home in a snowstorm, excited about meeting her new baby brother.
Just a few weeks later, Trish and I sipped warm drinks at Starbucks while I cuddled little Will. We laughed about Nick spending time alone with Lilly, and probably having his hair done.
We had barbeques, parties, visits… we shared our lives. We told secrets, ate, confessed our inadequacies and prayed together. I was in denial about her leaving for England right up until the night that my husband drove Nick, Trish, Lilly, and Will to the airport. I felt like I hadn’t been enough of a friend or mentor… I’d somehow failed as a big sister type. I don’t know why… I just prayed deeply in the spirit for Trish.
God, I’m so damned MAD! Why did this bastard feel the need to take a stand with a gun? Why didn’t he just blow himself up and stop traffic for a while, instead? Why didn’t… why? DAMMIT. It was NICK. The guy was 24 with a young family!!! This is stupid and ridiculous and any moment now, Trish will sent me an email telling me that there has been a mistake… it was the SHOOTER that was killed…
But I know that’s not going to happen.
This isn’t my tragedy nor my life. It belongs to Trish. I just want to lift most of the burden off of her and bury it in the sand so that she doesn’t have to face it. I want her to feel his arms wrapped around her and know that she’s going to be okay. God will protect her, comfort her, heal her heart. He’ll be her Husband and Father every moment. I trust that and know that. I just struggle to understand how this could be happening.
I don’t know what I’m saying. I know I’m just rambling. So I’ll close with this… Nick, thanks for serving our country. You paid the ultimate price, and your wife’s heart is the casualty of war. Just know, man, that she’s not alone down here. I’m talking to God about all sorts of good things for her, including security, comfort, and peace. Rest in the Father’s arms. Goodbye, SrA Alden. Well done, faithful servant. Well done.
http://www.adn.com/2011/03/03/1735020/ex-elmendorf-airman-killed-by.html
Romey, very very sorry for your loss. I will pray fot that precious family. Call when you can.
With much love and prayer
Angel