Robert B. Thrasher Obituary

My mom told me I was named after him and I was always an army brat. They were best friends back in basic. And after basic they were still good friends. My mom told me the story when she received the last phone call from him and I couldn't keep a straight face and neither could my mom. I always wanted to meet him but I never got the chance. Even though we aren't blood related I always called him my uncle. If he was still alive I would still call him my uncle. Thank you Jesse and others for helping me find out how much of a nice man he is.
- rest in peace Robert

11 years ago you went away. We all plan to visit your grave site & see the true story movie about Sacramento heroes on a train in Paris.

All day we'll be thinking of you.

It's been a Decade now since Robert passed away, 10 years but it still seems like just a short while ago.

We all visited Robert's grave site on 2/11/17, and it still seemed surreal.

I saw the banged up tin flower vase Christine had engraved on and thought he'd like that.

The picture to big to upload here so I added it to other Site.

I wanted to say thank you for the people who have came here in the past, as sadly on 2/11/17 when I was looking at old articles and re-watched the Memorial of Readiness where Sgt. Major Anthony DeJesus spoke about Robert, I thought I'd try to look him up to say a belated thank you.

And sadly found out that he passed away last year on Robert's Birthday.

Who knows he may have visited this Site, so I just wanted to say thank you for any other person Robert may have served with or who knew him as I may never get to say it in person but they may come here in the future.

I've come across another Site that was dedicated also to Robert showing and explaining his medals, in Together We Served web site.

Thank you all for taking the time to visit this Site to remember Robert, hopefully he'll live on in your thoughts.

First an apology, I was told that Lesego didn't pass away from low blood sugar.

I don't control this Site so can't change the prior Posting.

At the time of this writing is the 9 year mark since Robert passed away, and we postphoned some plans we had as today just didn't feel right doing.

There's still this sadness we feel and probably always will as we look back on the things you weren't there to see.

Tomorrow we'll visit your grave and maybe for a moment think of the good times you had in your past.

A sad day as Ian's friend, Lesego Mosupyoe passed away from low blood sugar this morning (4/19/15). She, like Ian was a Type 1 Diabetic.

Both she and her Mom, Ati were at your Funeral.

I only saw her a few times, but she was always upbeat and focused.

8 years ago today...

So many thoughts today as I look around this site, and your others and remember things you said and did.

Robert Lesego, Palesa and myself will always keep you in our memory. We are blessed to have known you through your mom and brother Ian,

To the family and friends of Sgt. Robert B. Thrasher:
It has truly been my honor to sign Robert's guest book these past few years. Unfortunately, due to complications from my Multiple Sclerosis, this may be the last message I'm able to write. Please forgive me and know that Robert will always be remembered in my home.
With love and respect ~ Peggy

February 11, 2012
To the family and friends of Sgt. Robert B. Thrasher:
Always remembering Robert. "Some gave all."

It is the eve of the anniversary of your passing Sgt Thrasher and I just wanted to drop in and give my regards. I and my family are forever grateful that men such as you are willing to serve, and we grieve that your willingness to so serve cost you your life. Our prayers go out on behalf of all those who knew and loved you. Rest in peace, we have not forgotten.

Today the last Convoy of American troops left Iraq. 3 days after the muted flag folding Ceremony which symbolized the end. THE WAR IN IRAQ IS OVER!!! Today is a day of reflection on how this war forever changed our lives, and what more can be said than GOODBYE, FAREWELL, and hopefully NEVER AGAIN.

After 9 years the U.S. officially ended it's war in Iraq today in a low key ceremony at the airport while Apache attack helicopters clattered overhead during the ceremony, a sign that the country remains dangerous. I don't think we won or even defeated the Terrorist, but we leave behind 4,500 fatalities and a cost of over 1 trillion dollars. I felt sadness for a few moments thinking we were leaving you behind, but your memory will last long after Iraq becomes but a distant thought like Saddam and Bin Ladden are now. Goodbye to a bad memory, a nightmare I'll never forget.

To the family and friends of Sgt. Robert B. Thrasher:
Please accept my remembrance of Robert on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.
Peggy Childers
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Hey this is Sgt Anthony Taylor. I'm the one who was there that day and almost shared the same fate. Just stopping by to say I'm in nursing school now and making sure no one else ever share the same fate. I will miss Thrasher and extend my love out to him and ALL his family. God Bless You All!!!!

3 years ago today...just thinking of you.

To the family and friends of Sgt. Robert B. Thrasher:
Remembering Robert on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

May he rest in peace.

To the family of Robert B. Thrasher: May God bless you and be with you....Robert is in a better place and he will be in your hearts as well as mine. Remember the best times you've spent with him...therefore his memory will never be lost.
We lost our grandson May 29, 2004 in Iraq. They are all Hero's. "Some gave some, Some gave all"

We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families. War does not discriminate – It breaks my heart to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,400 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com. If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Kenna

Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.


The Wind on The Downs

“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”

(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )

Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….

“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”


I did not know Robert, but I am remembering
his service. He is my hero. !

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Other Side

i'm over on the other side
where life and death softly divide.
left my skin and bones behind
now i'm over on the other side.

can you feel me there with you?
my breath is gone but i'm not through.
loved you then and i still do
from over on the other side.

i can fly. really fly.
below the earth ... all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

it's good here on the other side.
the sweetest songs...the bluest skies.
thank you for the tears you cried
but it's good here on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth...all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side

the world is smaller than a needle's eye.
where life and death softly divide.
when you leave your skin and bones behind
i'll be waiting on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth ... all through the sky.
go tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

Song lyrics by Don Conoscenti
C Desert Muse/SESAC
www.donconoscenti.com
(Used with permission)

“I hope it brings great comfort to any and all.
Peace on you. DonCon” 4-2008


The Other Side –
(To hear the song)
http://tinyurl.com/c33qzm


Sincerely,

Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom SSgt Vince – Lackland AFB

Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55

Angel and soldier drawing I have shared here.
http://tinyurl.com/6gey8b

To the family of Sgt. Robert B. Thrasher:
Robert gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Sgt Thrasher!

To the family and friends of Robert, I wish to offer my sincere gratitude to a fallen hero/son/friend. His unselfish acts of bravery and the ultimate sacrifice are indeed a tribute to his memory. Please know that a grateful nation mourns Robert, and that I, a most grateful American, will keep Robert in my prayers. God Bless.

There is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain or bring you peace in your time of sorrow, but I will offer you and your family my heart felt condolences. I also offer you my prayers that in time the pain will easy and the memories of your HERO will carry you through each day and night. I want to thank your HERO, for his/her selfless act of becoming a member of the armed forces, his/her willingness to defend the United States of America, all that we hold sacred and for the sacrifice that will forever be etched in the memories of all those who knew him/her. Though tears can never bring him/her back, we hope that our tears express our gratitude for the sacrifice that he/she made and our sorrow at his/her passing. I believe for every fallen HERO there is a star shining brightly up above to remind us of the precious gift we were given.

Your mission on earth is complete and you are now a member of GOD’s Heavenly armed forces. Stand down brave warrior and take your rightful place in Heaven with all the HEROES who have passed before.

I made a special promise to LE RON A. WILSON, a dear family friend who joined the Army with three other friends, one of whom is my son (Le Ron was killed in action on 07/06/07 at the age of 18) on the day he was laid to rest as I touched his coffin, that I would never forget him nor would I forget those that gave their lives for our country before him, with him and after him and so when I came across www.legacy.com, I thought what a great way to keep my promise to Le Ron, so I will continue to leave tributes in each guest book until the day there is no longer the need to leave these tributes to a FALLEN HERO.

REST IN PEACE, HERO, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!

PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Currently stationed in Germany
Althea Barrett(Queens, NY)

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Sgt Thrasher and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!

I clicked on a couple of links on the front of this Site and was saddened to see that they no longer are available.

I’m in the process of tracking down articles that were published after Robert’s death now, but did locate the no longer available Sites/articles and have republished them on a Memorial Site that I sat up for Robert at:

http://www.robert-thrasher.memory- of.com

They include the LA Times article, and two stories published from the El Paso Times that Reporter Chris Roberts sent to Robert’s Mother.

Currently that Site is a direct access only Site where you have to type the Site name or click on the link to get there.

I will probably launch it in July or August so anyone can find it by doing a Search Engine inquiry by typing Robert’s name.

Unfortunately you also don’t get this result now on Search Engines (at least in the first few pages) by typing Robert Thrasher, neither this Legacy Site or the other Mem.com Site come up. So I’m referencing them at that Site also.

This Site is maintained by Legacy.com and the Mem.com Site is administered by Robert’s Wife Christine and her family.

On the Robert-thrasher.memory-of Site you can leave a tribute or condolence; add music, video’s or pictures; PUT YOUR LIGHTS ON, and light a candle in his memory; read articles about his death; or listen to music and watch the slideshow of his pictures on the Photo Album link, or at the bottom of the About Him front page.

If you click on a music link you might want to click STOP on the radio on the side of the site to turn it off, otherwise you’ll have two different songs playing.

I’ll try to add different songs or pictures at least once a month so it’ll always be different.

I’ve linked the two newscasts to the Audio/Video portion of the Site that are on the front of this Site also. They are still active on the front of this Legacy Site, but just in case…

And it took awhile but I was able to find the El Paso Memorial video online and copy it. It’s too big to E-mail or link to that site, but you can view it at:

http://www.onlinefilefolder.com/index.php?action=getshare&type=0&user_num=36054&share_id=128082&hash=dbcd123fe17b0aa27d2277608baf7129

And be forewarned it will take awhile to download.

I wanted a minimal Hosting Site where you can add things yourself, but if you have pictures or music you’d like added and can’t do it yourself, you can E-mail me from there and I should be able to do it for you.

I hope at some point you take a moment, and make a memory.

SCREAM!!!

Janet’s Mother made their Halloween costumes for years, they were Batman, Superman, Donald Duck, Teenage Nija Mutant turtles with the shells, etc.

Unfortunately the Halloween pictures were with the costumes in the garage when Robert accidentally caught them on fire so not many left.

But If Robert were to choose ten pictures that represented his life, this would be in the top ten.

The movie came out in 1996, and the costumes the next year 1997. Both Robert and Ian dressed up in this costume and both loved it so much they continued wearing it after Halloween and during the year, and then the next Halloween.

When I see this picture or hear the song MAD WORLD I think of Robert over in Germany playing Xbox 360 simultaneously with his Brother Ian here in the States. About a 12 hour difference in times.

Sometimes the image comes to mind of the cartoon lone soldier in the Xbox Gears of War commerical, who turns a corner and faces the giant spider.

Yes, there are a few screams in this picture!

We are so sorry for your loss. Robert is a true hero in every sense of the word. He is a highly decorated young soldier who volunteereed for his position. He could have been doing anything else but chose to protect us. We know what you are going through. On January 22, 2007 we lost our son-in-law Spec. Nicholas P. Brown to an IED in Iraq. He left behind a young wife and a newborn son. Nick was in 2/7 Cav and loved being a soldier. Because of him I am signing all Guest Books of fallen soldiers of 1st Cav Div. We pray for you and cry with you. Please accept all our sympathies during these hard times. Thank you,

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. I HAVE JUST LEARNED OF YOUR GREAT LOSS AND WISH TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES. PLEASE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO DO CARE AND YOUR HERO WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR TREASURED MEMORIES THAT HIS SPECIAL SMILE MAY CONTINUE TO SHINE. I PRAY THAT PEACE WILL FIND YOU ALL SOMEDAY. GODSPEED AND SEMPER FI.

A PROUD MARINE MOM

This is a picture of Ian and Robert at the Sacramento Airport when Robert was leaving for El Paso on his last visit to Sacramento in 2006.

Robert is wearing his Calvary hat.

This is a picture of Robert playing chess, while his Grandmother Elsie watches on wearing his Calvary cap.

This picture was taken Christmas Day, 2004 at Robert's Uncle David's house in Roseville.

This is a picture of Christine, and Robert. They were married then, as Robert has his Wedding ring on.

Don't remember much specifically about the taking of this picture, but he is holding a bottle of bubbles, and in the other hand the wand.

Janet put out Chineese poppers as table decorations (the green and white paper items with red trim on the table), and this was the gift in his, along with the paper crown he's wearing, when he popped it open.

He loved it. His Brother and he went outside and had a big bubble fight.

The picture title is a line from David Bowie's, HEROES.

I thought of the lyrics...

I, I will be King
You, you will be Queen.
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, for ever and ever
Oh we can be heroes, just for one day.

So I'll submit this photo knowing that even though nothing will keep us together, perhaps we could steal time, if just for one day.

I was SGT Thrasher's Platoon Sergeant and Tank Commander. He was the most professional Soldier and NCO I knew. I will never forget him and he will always be in my thoughts. My condolences to his family.

As the mother of a son (my only child) who is enlisted in the Army, and as a resident of El Paso, I want to send my condolences.

Thank you for serving our country, Robert and thank you, family and friends, for this website. I'm sure you're all experiencing the ultimate sacrifice he made for all of us through your grief. I cannot imagine how sad and how proud you must all be, and want you to know I appreciate and respect our military forces and the freedom we all enjoy (and abuse) because of the men and women who walk the walk, not just talk the talk. God Bless all who serve - may you be blessed in this life and in the life to come!

THRASHER THRASHER

Unlike the first photo I submitted where I could almost pinpoint it to the exact time, this photo I know nothing about.

Don't know who took it, when or where. I assume it was taken in his first tour of duty in Iraq.

He gave his Mother this picture (and the one with him under a camouflage net on mem.com) when she and his Grandfather Brooks visited him 10/30-11/1/06 when he left.

It's the picture on the right in the frame and on the front of the Site.

I chose it as this is the uniform type he was killed in, and wore at the Funeral.

When Robert called a few days after arriving in Iraq, I joked with him about his name being displayed twice in the picture, above the pocket and on the hat.

Robert's FIRST Christmas.

I was not going to submit photo's that were already here, or on the other site (MEM.com), so the first photo's I'm submitting are both already available for viewing!

But like a song where two people hear different things, a picture has different meanings also.

Here's mine of this photo.

I decided to submit this photo as it is probably the only one where I can tell the exact year, exact day, exact place, and almost pinpoint the exact time (and no we don't keep a scrapbook or write info on the back of photo's nor date and time stamp photo's).

I can tell the Year as there are no Stripes on Robert's Uniform, so he was out of Basic and on leave from Tank Training in Fort Knox, Kentucky.

I can tell the place as the Chair is in his Grandmother Elsie and Johnnie's house.

The window is light during the day, and it's dark so it's between 6:30 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. (18:30 and 2100 military time).

I don't remember if I took the picture, Christine took it, his Mom did it. She was there every day helping his Grandmother cook Chili Reano's and Tamales for Christmas Eve.

But the reason I can pinpoint the exact day is that on Robert's left hand is his wedding band. He and Christine got married 12/23/02 and announced it to us the next day at his Grandmother Elsie's house during her traditional dinner.

They didn't wear their rings coming in. They put them on after they made the announcement.

A friend pointed out that a lot of people just get reminders of when a
new message is put on this site and don't go to the main log on page each time.


So if you haven't done so I'd encourage you to log onto the main logon page...

http://legacy.com/Soldier/Story.aspx?PersonID=86445187

There you can look link to the LA Times Obituary that his Mother, Aunt and Grandmother helped contribute to.

You can link to the El Paso Times article on 3/21/07 where Robert's
Base honored him with a Memorial of Readiness, and that article links you to the actual video of the ceremony recorded by the Army.

At the beginning of the video is Sgt. Taylor and his Wife and child.
Sgt. Taylor is the Medic who himself was shot and covered Robert to try to keep him alive.

Two key speakers were Staff Sgt. Marabello and he also read a
letter from Capt. Fowler who told of Robert and how he never saw him relax around a Tank, how his presence resonated in a room, and how he led and people followed.

And the second speaker was Sgt. Major DeJesus, who told of the respect Robert earned by being rewarded with individual Officer coins for the hard work he did transforming a Dorm, and how when told by Sgt. Major DeJesus that he wasn't able to give a Soldier who was working off punishment for violating a military rule and doing
extra duty for Robert a coin.

Robert himself unselfishly gave the Solider a coin that he himself had been awarded to by a General.

Sgt DeJesus said he heard about it from rumor, and heresay.

Sgt DeJesus paused here saying, "Because Robert was such a selfless caring soldier who was always looking out for his Troop, I then just had to get another coin from that General for Robert".

Not on the video is at the end the Speaker did Roll Call and Soldiers from his Unit there sitting in the Audience yelled out here as their name was called, and when Robert Thrasher's name was called three times there was just silence.

You can see his Calvary hat, boots and on the saddle his backwards facing boots.

The 3rd and 4th links are from where his Grandmother Elsie did
interviews with local TV stations. The KCRA interview was the night of his death, and the KXTV interview was the next day. Both sites were linked as they include the video interview his Grandmother Elsie did.

Under Robert's picture is a Tribute from his Unit over in Iraq. Sadly 4 of those Soldiers were killed on 3/17/07 by a roadside bomb.

Sgt. John E. Allen,
Sgt. Ed Santini
Pfc. John Landry
Pfc. William N. Davis

Janet and I often visit other Soldier's Site's on Legacy.com reading their stories.

Also I added two of my own Tributes, one with pictures taken on the day of the Funeral by the Patriot Guard, which I just got from Robert’s Father. The second Tribute is pictures of Robert’s medals, which a lot of people not in the Military probably haven’t seen.

I hadn’t intended to include my own poems in my last entry, and instead planned to just include the words to the 3 doors down song, HERE WITHOUT YOU that was played at the Funeral. And
to include a Poem by a poet I like. But when I went to submit it they had the copyright rules and so I instead included my own poems.

After checking I can include a portion of the poem as the Poet wasn't even around when the copyright rules started and after 800 years the copyright would have ran out, as he was born in the 1300's.

And I’ll include that now as I hadn’t intended to write again!

The Poet is Hafiz. I picked him because he had similarities to Robert. He was a Wine lover (as was Robert), lived in Iran, which at that time was Persia (which at that time, the Persian Empire included Iraq), and his work today is considered surrealism (Sgt. Major DeJesus said that in Germany Robert had transformed a Barracks by painting beautiful Calvary murals to instill history and pride, and transformed the place to a place where Soldiers enjoyed coming to after a hard day in the field).

Take one of my tears,
Throw it into the ocean

And watch the salt in the wounds
Of this earth and men begin to disappear.

Take one of my tears
And cradle it in your palm.
Mount a great white camel
And carry my love into every desert,
Paying homage to every Prophet
Who has ever walked in our world.

O take one of my tears
And stop weeping only for sadness,

For there is so much More to this life
Than you now understand.

Take one of my tears
And become like the Happy One,
O like the Happy One --
Who now lives Forever
Within me.

When a drop from my Emerald Sea
Touches your soul's mouth,
It will dissolve everything but your Joy
And an Eternal Wonder.

I’ll spare you the funny story that Robert liked, as it would take up a lot of room in this small parameter.

Perhaps someone going to the front of this site, or www.mem.com will, as I’m sure Robert did with his extensive collection of earned coins, see two sides of the story of his life.

We're forever indebted to Sgt. Matthews, Sgt. Fields, Staff Sgt. Marabello, Capt. Fowler, Sgt. Major DeJesus, and the entire Fort Bliss Army Base for their kindness and hospitality during this trying time.

Thank you.

Dear Thrasher family,
I wanted to send my deepest sympathy and condolences on your precious loss. My heart,prayers, and thoughts are with you at this time. May God comfort you in his loving arms. I share your grief also. It pains me to hear of another loss of a fallen soldier.

Sgt.Robert Thrasher,
I did not know you personally but I wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service to our country.
I want you to know that I also all share the pain of losing another precious soldier.
You are my hero.
May you rest peacefully in heaven sweet soldier

dear christine we are very sorry to hear about your loss, our prayers will be with you and your family
james and katrin allen

We are our memories


You probably only remember the person that I'll never forget.

I had the privilege of meeting Robert 21 + years ago when he was 2. Our lives have been intertwined ever since.


Probably our most interpersonal communication was through letter writing which started when he went into Basic Training in Kentucky, continued when he was stationed in Germany and Christine was here, resumed on his first tour of duty in Iraq, and then in El Paso and ended this second tour of duty in Iraq.


So I'll write this as if it were the last letter to Robert. Typing it during my lunch hour and updating him on things that have happened since the last letter that I wrote him.


I'd apologize for the delay since the last letter, and tell him ironically even though I didn’t write him, he had been on my mind a lot.


I’d tell him of how we got the news of his death at 3:15 P.M. our time in Sacramento on 2/11/07. We were laying down watching TV and Christine called our house phone, and before Janet could get to it just left a brief message of, "Call me as soon as possible, it's important". Then she called on the cell phone and Janet answered and exclaimed in a high voice, "Robert's dead?"


I'd tell him in this letter that we had no foreboding, no premonition of something not right. So the news wasn't shock or disbelief, just someone must have made a mistake and he's still alive.


You hear once in awhile of people losing contact and turning up, or a wrong person pronounced dead while the real person is still alive.


But as time went by reality and certainty started creeping in and an unreal feeling was left inside us all. I'd tell him of how all through that day I kept remembering our life together. I wrote three poems while I waited for the call that never came, the one that said he was really alright.



I'm sure he'd want to hear how his Grandma Elsie did several TV interviews telling of his life, and sayng she was proud of him and felt lucky she was able to give him a special goodbye by pulling him back and squeezing him hard two or three more times and kissing him goodbye.



Maybe I'd tell him of how he was shot and went down unconscious and then the Medic was shot next and covered Robet's body to try to keep him alive.


About here in the letter I'd tell Robert that Christine arrived on Wednesday 2/14/07, and we went to her house and saw their Rotweiiler dog BO, for the first time. Yet it still didn't feel like you were really gone.


Nor did it that Friday 2/16/07 when Robert's body arrived on the Tarmac and his body had first contact with homesoil. I think he'd laugh in pride when I told him how Christine demanded that a family member be present everyday for viewing hours despite two Centuries always being there, changing on the hour. Maybe he'd choke up when told Christine was almost always there with him.


Maybe he’d have a sense of pride knowing that the day of the Funeral the Patriot Guard arrived on motorcycles with huge flags on the back of each motorcycle. They removed them quietly and walked to the front of the Chappell and stood along the sidewalk holding the flags high for cars passing on the streets to see. These people who didn't even know Robert but cared enough to come.


When the service started gasps could be heard as Robert's flag draped coffin was carried in by 4 uniformed Military and your Dad and Ian as Pallbearers carrying the coffin down the middle isle up to the Podium.


The Reverend gave a very nice Eulogy, there were memorials by a Staff Sergeant from your Unit, a fellow Soldier from your Base, your Base Commander's Wife, Your step-Mother Maria read her Daughter Sela's Memorial letter of how you grew up together from age 4 and had three different relationships (Cousin, Aunt, and Sister) and how you'd grown together. Your friend Christine told of things you did when you were young like sneak out in the 4 Runner, then realising none of you could drive a stick, and then you couldn't push it back up the driveway. Your Senior Teacher told of how you influenced her to go sky diving for your Senior project, something she'll never forget. Your Mom said a few words, and a Brigadier General also said some very nice things. But your Brother's speech about how he always looked up to you for guidance probably would have been the one which moved you to tears.


Christine dedicated the Three Doors Down song, HERE WITHOUT YOU, to you and as it was played your Mother broke into tears. I still occasionally go to www.mem.com and watch your Funeral movie that they showed pictures of you before the service or click on the Gallery and do a slideshow and play HERE WITHOUT YOU from youtube or napster while I watch the pictures of your life flash by.


The start of the song when they sing, A hundred days had made me older... remind me that Robert was actually in Iraq about 100 days (left on 11/1/06 and died 2/11/07).


We walked by Robert's open coffin and a poem I wrote on the day of your death went through my mind. Strange how things just happen.


We walked out on that gray overcast day, to the Circle of Honor where we stood under the green canopy, surrounded on the outskirts along the wall were the Patriot Guard holding their flags, and we watched your coffin being carried out of the Chappell by your Dad, Ian and the 4 Soldiers and placed in the Hearst which drove slowly up in front of the 14 steps or so to where we were. Your Dad and Ian walked up the steps to join us, and as we all watched as your coffin was removed from the white Hearst by a column of marching soldiers wearing green uniforms, and white gloves. Six of the Soldiers carried the coffin up the slight hill followed by the bagpipe player.


The Bagpiper started to play and the soft wail accompanied the Soldiers carrying the casket up to where we awaited.


The rest of the Military National Guard members in uniform did a series of commands and separated into two groups, one group of Soldiers stood by the coffin three on each side, and the 7th Soldier was the one who issued commands to both groups, and the other group of 7 Soldiers were holding rifles and were ordered to fire 3 volley's in unison, rendering a 21 gun salute.



Then the flag was slowly folded on each side of the coffin two Solider's at a time in colligation as the Bugle Player, played taps.


The folded triangle flag from the coffin was presented to Christine.


I'd tell him about the people who came to this Site to remember him. He'd probably be touched by the entries about him. Especially that his Unit back in Iraq did a Tribute to him.


The complete strangers like the Gold Star Women, or the Teacher who knew him years ago and still remembered him. I’ll slowly add pictures of Robert to this site, dreading the day when there will be no more to add.


Usually in my letters to Robert I'd tell him a funny story or make some jokes. And around or between the punch lines I'd fill him in on what was going on here while he was there.


My last memory of seeing Robert was about a year before his death when he came here. We only talked a little, but a moment I'll never forget is when he broke into laughter about something I had wrote him. Just uncontrolled laughter as he tried to repeat the letter.


I'd like to think that my letters helped him make some decisions, relieve his loneliness of missing Christine, and let him know that there were problems here as well.


I would include two poems in this letter to Robert, one new and one he knew. The new one was written on the day we were told by Christine that Robert passed away which I titled DREAMS OF YOU and as we sat fretting and hoping on hopes that it was all a terrible mistake the poem formed in my mind.



I had a dream about you
had a dream of things you used to do
when life was young, and our world was new


I had a dream of me and you


I tried to tell you something
tried to tell you not to go out there
the world ain't fair
but you just smiled and said that you had to do your share


I had a dream of me and you


I heard a song about you
heard them sing that, "you have to fight to be free"
it ended with, "be all that you can be"


I had a dream of you and me


I had a thought about you
and the thought... just made me cry
in my sleep I just kept asking why


as I dreamed of...you and I


That probably sounds anti-military, but it's just the opposite actually. Robert wanted to join, and wanted to stay in the Military.


The funny story would be when he was 8 or 9 for his birthday he got a remote control monster truck, and excitedly went out to play with it in our cul de sac street where maybe 10 cars parked so not much traffic. But in less than an hour I heard his Brother howling with laughter and when I got there his truck had been crushed by a moving car when Robert had tried to drive it under the car.


The next day we bought Robert a remote control car and that also met the same fate that same day in a busier street.


At the end of 2005, Janet sent Robert (now 22) two remote control airplanes over in Germany and had to spend a lot of time finding a Company that would ship it to Germany, and Christine called her when the shipment arrived and Robert had just put them together and was test driving them inside the apartment and CRASH into the wall.


The second one met the same fate off the ceiling.


Robert when shot was unconscious for a short time before passing away, so he felt no pain. But if he had been conscious and was told his life was ending and they could do nothing. I'd like to think his response would have been the funny way it was when the toys were crushed. He didn't cry, get angry and throw a fit, or feel adverse sorrow for his loss. He accepted it with a glint in his eye, a shrug of his shoulders and by saying...


"Oh well, it was fun while it lasted".


I'm sure he'd have something to say to Christine, and I'd like to think it would be...


"Don't cry for my tomorrow, as I have our yesterday".

Shortly after Robert got orders for a 2nd tour of Iraq he had a very vivid dream, and there were hopes and dreams that he had for you. One was that you'd have a happy life if he was no longer here.


The second poem I wrote 8 or 9 years ago for the passing of a friend/co-worker suddenly. Robert mentioned this specific poem before and so I know he knew of it. I can see Robert in it sometimes when I read it two or three times in a row. Of course I couldn't find a copy of it and will probably not recite it verbatium, and I think it was titled FOREVER ON MY MIND.


I thought I heard your voice today,
Then somebody told me that you had passed away.
Suddenly my body felt so strange, all my thoughts and feelings rearranged


I always thought that we’d have forever in my mind,

Instead all we had was a mere lifetime.

No time to worry, no time to cry.

No time to tell you that I’ll miss you goodbye.


I thought I saw your face today,
But then you turned around and walked away.
I called out your name but there was nobody there,
I looked around but couldn’t find you anywhere.


I always thought that we’d have forever in my mind,

Instead all we had was a mere lifetime.

No time to worry, no time to cry.

No time to tell you that I’ll miss you goodbye.


I thought I saw a twinkle in the sky,
Or was that just you saying goodbye.
I think of all the things we’ll never get to do,
And all of the things that I'll never say to you.


I always thought that we’d have forever in my mind,

Instead all we had was a mere lifetime.

No time to worry, no time to cry,

No time to tell you that . . .

I’ll miss you goodbye.


I'm sure he'd have felt remorse about no longer being able to see Canada, but I'll think of him if I'm up there and lucky enough to encounter the Northern Lights again first hand. The stars so vivid and dancing and appearing so big and close that you could touch them as you become engulfed by them. Perhaps as a shooting star races through the sky I'll think of Robert playing with a remote control car again.


I'd wrap up this last letter that I'd ever write to Robert by telling him that it's not the life that he had that I mourn, it's that I'll always regret not knowing the person that he would have been, the one he was becoming.


When we heard the news that fateful day, I remember the disbelief, the uncertainly, the maybe their wrong feeling. Never the he's gone feeling.


It took awhile to sink in, but I’ll always feel as if he’s not gone, just someplace else.


I'd probably contemplate in the letter how we see so many things and meet so many people everyday, but remember only a few throughout our lifetime. And some we carry throughout our lives somewhere inside us.




Who we are is our memories.

and our memories are us.



Perhaps a teardrop will fall on the paper as I realize that it's time. I'm sure my pen would shake a little as I realize this will be the last time. Robert rarely wrote letters back, and maybe he'll never read this letter, but I need to send it in the hopes that maybe he will.

In the past I might close a letter with an I love you, or I miss you, or I hope to see you soon. But for this letter I'll just end it by signing my first name, dating it, and saying...


I'll never forget you Robert.

.

I wanted to add this photo for Sgt. Thrasher's friends and family on behalf of 1st platoon. He looks great in this picture, right out front. Stay stong, Dena Ciferri , wife of SFC. Patrick Ciferri.

Mrs. Thrasher and family.
I was one of the medics working the day both SPC Taylor, and your loved one came in to our trauma center. I am part of 2/5 Cav out of Ft Hood, Tx. Although not part of 2/12 Cav, knowing that a Cav solider was coming took a toll on all of us. As we began to do everything in our power to save SGT Thrasher, and SPC Taylor, we felt the hurt and pain to have our own wounded. Later we learned that SGT Thrasher felt no pain, and went immediately, it was a loss for all of us. SGT Thrasher made the sacrifice, and will never be forgotten. I can't begin to understand what your family is going thru, but our family feels the pain also. The Cav family has lost another brother, and he will be missed. Continue to embrace the memories that you have of him, and know that we have all of you in our thoughts, prayers, and hearts.
God Bless You All.

Sgt Garcia
Medic, Baghdad, Iraq

My heartfelt sympathies to your family. My heart breaks with each new name added to this list, and I am saddened by your loss. Know that you are surrounded by prayers, grace and the deep gratitude of all who live in freedom. My God hold you in his arms and grant you peace. Please find joy in the memories of your loved one and comfort knowing so many are holding you in their hearts.