Sean A. Stokes Obituary

Hi Sean

Just dropping by this Memorial Day to let you know that we are still thinking of you and missing you. You will always be remembered and never forgotten.

Thinking of you, Remembering you, and most of all Honoring you on this Memorial Day weekend

Happy Birthday, Sean. I hope you and your brothers in arms are having a big celebration!
HEROES LIVE IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

Happy Birthday in Heaven Sean. May all your heavenly brothers-in-arms be singing to you today and giving you hugs. You are still loved and missed by many, especially the TT's.

Happy Birthday Sean.
Miss you, everyday.
Love Mom

***********************************************

I just realized, a year after the fact, I posted your age wrong last year...on this day last year 2013, you would have turned 30 & this year on Feb 6th 2014 you would be turning 31...
no matter really, because you'll always remain 24, forever
& ever...

HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY SEAN. As usual, I am a day late in my birthday greetings.

Happy Birthday, Sean! Sorry I'm a day late. I know you had a wonderful birthday and celebrated up there in Heaven. You will never be forgotten.
HEROES NEVER DIE, THEY LIVE IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER.
with love and respect,
Mike and Pam Dustin

Happy Birthday, Sean! You will never be forgotten. <3

Happy 29th Birthday Sean.

'Sean, Let Me See Your Smile'
I laugh through the tears with sweet vivid memories of You.. I hear Your childhood laugh, and I see You running along a dirt road, You stop to play for a while..then You look up at me with those beautiful eyes, and let me see Your smile.
We will never forget..You will never be replaced. In our hearts is where You always exist. You are our Angel Sean, telling our broken hearts you still watch over us...
My eyes always search for You in the sky, my heart knows You are in Heaven.
We see each other in these wonderful dreams, where You always
Let Me See Your Smile..

Love, Mom
In Loving Memory
Cpl Sean A Stokes
Born February 6th, 1983
KIA July 30th, 2007, Iraq

My son served with you Sean. He has your name tatooed along with other brave Marines who sacrificed for us on his body to remember. God bless you and your family.

Always thinking of you & your family Sean.

Hi Sean
Another year has passed but a year here is only seconds in Heaven. Just wanted to let you know that you have not been forgotten and are sorely missed each and every day. Thank you for watching over your family and our deployed Troops.

Sean, I never had the honor of meeting you but I have heard enough to know that you were one amazing son and friend. I know you're keeping watch over your mother and I'm so glad for that. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice to help keep our country safe.

Sean:

Time is so irrelevant..it is of absolutely no matter, these dates.

I was looking through some photos of you, we only have these pictures now to look back on & to touch & to talk to. Yes, I talk to you in your photos.
These forever frozen small pieces of time & space, these precious reminders of how wonderful it all once was.

You are always present, in my Heart & Soul. And at the same time, you are always & forever missed.

Love, Mom

July 30, 2012
To the family and friends of Cpl. Sean A. Stokes:
Always remembering Sean. "Some gave all."

Sorry Sean that I am a couple days late in wishing you a heavenly happy birthday. We still miss you and just know that you are thought of all the time and will never ever ever be forgotten.

Happy belated birthday, Sean. I know you had a wonderful birthday up there with all your brothers in arms. I know you are still watching over all of us. You will never be forgotten.
with love and respect,
Pam Dustin

Happy Heavenly Birthday Sean.
Love, Mom
Born 29 years ago, February 6, 1983

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal."

Happy Heavenly Birthday Sean! Remembering you on this 29th Anniversary of your birth. You are NEVER Forgotten! God Bless You & Your Family.

Merry Christmas Sean & your family too. You are NEVER forgotten. God Bless You!

Hi Sean, thinking of you as always but esp as another holiday goes by....
Love Mom

You were thought of with love and thanks yesterday. Thankgiving is such a special time to give thanks, and that you were given.
HEROES NEVER DIE, THEY LIVE IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER.

Almost 5pm & turkey dinner is ready...but it is not turkey day as you remember it Sean, not even close. Very simple, no frills, not a special day in any way, or a day for lots of laughter.
No extra special china & crystal are on the big dining table, nor are other holiday table decorations, no candles, and no platters of all sorts of food. I made no pies either, so your favorites are missing, same as every year since you deployed to Heaven.
But what is the same & will never change is:
I Miss You & Love You, Mom

Happy Thanksgiving Sean.... Thinking of you & your family on this special day & knowing it is because of heroes like you that I have the freedom to celebrate this day. Please know you are NEVER Forgotten. God Bless You ALL!

July 30, 2011
To the family and friends of Cpl. Sean A. Stokes:
Please accept my remembrance of Sean on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

Sean:

I cannot see you and wish you could be here, but your unmistakable signs let me know you are always near.

Knowing you are never far, always.

Mom loves & misses you.

Memorial weekend Sean, but really no different than every day, you are always on our minds & in our hearts. You and others deployed to Heaven were especially honored w/ a Memorial Match this weekend Sean, attended by your Marine brothers & sisters, MSM & civilians. I know you were there among us, all the time watching & listening, smiling & humbled....I've added a photo of the beautiful trophy in your name, a war pony sculpture 'Show of Valor'.
You are missed, always. Love, Mom

Happy Birthday, Sean! Please enjoy your day. We all miss you and thank you for your service to us all.

Sean: A VERY HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY!! OMG, I have been sooo scatter brained, I did not post in your guest book yesterday!! This is #28! I wonder about it all, wonder what you'ld be doing, where you would be..what you would look like now, handsome of course, so smart & very funny. I had a nice lunch w/ two of your terrific Marine brothers & who listened so politely as I reminisced & they also brought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers....but nothing comes close to you, you are one of a kind my love. Watch over your brother, he misses you too... Love, Mom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SEAN!!! I hope you are up there celebrating in style. You will never be forgotten and we will always celebrate you. I hope your Mom feels those hugs you are sending her. She is such a good Mom.
with love and respect

Sean:
These holidays seem simple and bright at first glance, as others sing the music and laugh in the light.
But where ever I look, I see a space,
Beside the table an empty place,
A voice is missing, a form of grace,
The sweetness of a little boy, a teen and young man, a lost face. The space was left by you my child, teen and young man who's gone.
Though all seems right, yet it's terribly wrong. Oh to clasp that small hand again in mine.
Miss you. Love, Mom

Merry Christmas Sean. You & Your Family are in my thoughts & prayers today....you are NEVER forgotten. God Bless You All!

To all our Fallen Heroes:
"We thought of you with love today
But that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday
And days before that too.
We think of you in silence
We often speak your name.
Now all we have are memories
And your picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keepsake
With which we'll never part
God has you in His keeping
We have you in our Heart."
Love, Mom

Thank you Pam & Mike & to everyone who writes in Sean's Guest Book.
He would be humbled & honored by your thoughts and kind words. And I will read and re-read all the pages till I can read no more...

Well, Sean we just got back from the Veterans Day Parade. I thought of you and so many others. You will always be remembered.
with love and respect,
Mike and Pam Dustin

Hi Sean, your mom sent me the correct link to your book - I seemed to have had the wrong one. Anyway, I wanted to just let you know that you are on my mind these last few days and just wanted to reasure you that you are still so loved and greatly missed by so many. You are very special to the TT families and many others too. You will never be forgotten, never.

Thank you for the comments and esp for remembering @ what has become the most difficult time of year. I know that is not what Sean would want me or anyone to go through. But it is what it is, as I reflect on many years of wonderful & loving memories while at the same time letting the sorrow flood over me.
Miss you always, Love Mom

Dearest Family & Friends of Cpl. Sean A. Stokes.... We are remembering Sean on this anniversary....He is a Hero & will never be forgotten. God Bless You All!!

To the family and friends of Cpl. Sean A. Stokes:
Remembering Sean 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

Dear Sean....I spent Memorial Day remembering you & all your Fallen Brother's & Sisters as well as those who came before you. We are so thankful for all you gave to allow us all the freedoms we have. God Bless You! Til the day we meet...

Memorial Day 2010 Honoring All Our Fallen
"....When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile,
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile...Then forget to grieve for my going,
I would not have you sad for a day,
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay...."
Miss you.
Love, Mom

Memorial Day is approaching and I just wanted you to know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers. I honor you and thank you for your sacrifice. You will never be forgotten.
with love and respect,
Mike and Pam Dustin
Bakersfield, CA

To the family of Sean Stokes. My deepest sympathy goes out to you. Though I don't know Sean personally, he will always be in my memories. I was responsible for preparing his Personal Casualty Report and informing not only the Headquarters Marine Corps about his injuries but also his family. It was a pleasure to serve with Sean and he will always be a part of my Marine Corps Memories. Semper Fidelis

Happy be-lated birthday Sean. I was thinking of you. I'm sure that you and your brothers up had a great time partying up there is heaven!
Remember, HEROES NEVER DIE, THEY LIVE IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER.
with love and respect,
Mike and Pam Dustin
Bakersfield, CA

Happy 27th Birthday Sean!
Our Memories Never Wear Out, We Relive Them Whenever We Want....
Love, Mom

I am Doc Tovar.... I served with Stokes during his two tours with Lima co. 3/1. I was with him during Fallujah.

I just wanted to tell you that I had the pleasure of serving with your son Stokes and.... was sad to see him in this page. I will honor him and all the Marines and Sailors who have died serving in both wars.

To Sean... hey brother I know you know who this is. Doc T well I told you that day you deployed I was going to be there on the black top when all of 3/1 got back. I learned by butters that you did not make it. I was shocked and sad. I just wanted to let you know that I will always remeber you, Larson, Woods and Figuero. You will always be in my prayers....
Doc Mario Tovar.
Stay cool Brother..... until we meet again.

Miss you Sean. A special place will always be set for you at the Holiday table.
You will never be forgotten, you are always in our hearts.

Love, Mom

May God's angels watch over our deployed, wounded and loved ones of the Fallen.

I am so sorry that I didn't get to write on Veterans Day. I spent the day with my daughter in urgent care.
On this Thanksgiving Day, I want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We will forever be grateful for all that you have done for your country and those in it. You are a true HERO and will never be forgotten.
with love and respect,
Mike and Pam Dustin

Sean:

Today and everyday we remember.
Today and everyday we strive to honor you in every thought and deed.
Today and everyday we miss you.

You were called home much too early my love, called up by the most precious angels in heaven. Called so you could continue in spirit to watch over and serve, with out question or hesitation. Sean you are truly an angel.

Your unwaivering courage, proud service and constant sacrifices we will never forget.

Love, Mom
09/11/09

Hey bro we all miss you like crazy. I know that you are watching over us like you always have. Until we meet again brother.

Love you and miss you Sean as many other people do. You are now and always will be in our hearts and at our side everyday in spirit.

Love, Mom

I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you on this day. You are a hero that will never be forgotten. You gave your life to keep us safe and I will never forget you. I have had the pleasure to get to know your Mom and she is a wonderful, strong, and caring lady. She keeps your memory alive always. I know you are still watching over all of us, and, I thank you for that. I also know that you are in good company up there in Heaven.

To the family of Cpl. Sean A. Stokes:
Sean 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

Dear Sean & Family...You are all in our thoughts & Prayers on the Memorial Day as always. We shall never forget. Thank you for your service & sacrifce. God Bless You All.

God's Angels are always on duty and you have achieved this rare and distinct beauty.

Until we meet again Sean,
Love and miss you, Mom

Semper Fi...to our fallen Marines and all our fallen heroes on this Memorial Day 2009. We will never forget you.

I just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you on this Memorial Day weekend. I plan on going to the beach on the 31st. I will take some time to sit on the beach, watch the waves roll in and think of all of you. To me, the waves are eternal; just as you are. Heroes never die. They remain in our hearts forever and I hope that all of you can feel the love being sent up to you.

To Sean's family I know that he just had his birthday and though it's hard to celebrate, I would encourage you to celebrate the life he lived and loved so much.

I hope also that you will submit a picture of Sean here so that others may know what a handsome man he is. [email protected] is the email for profile pictures.

As a Gold Star Mother I know the pain that you feel and the rollercoaster ride you're always on. Pleases contact me anytime if for no other reason just to share the memories of a great son.

http://goldstarfamilysupportgroup.com

In Memory of my son
Spc Harry (Buck) Winkler III
KIA 11/12/2006 Samarra, Iraq
CO-A 2-505th PIR 82nd Airborne

Stokes family & Friends: Oh my, I read the book We Were One. It was unbelievable what these young soldiers did & went through. I had wondered what had become of CPL Stokes since that time. Now I know. I was looking at Michael Hanks guestbook & came upon the CPL's name. I was shocked and saddened. I marveled at his acts of valor & courage. He was one of America's finest Marines. America has truly lost one of the best of the best. I am so sorry about that. God bless you all.

I would like to thank everyone for your never ending outpouring of love for Sean. I can not say enough as to what your support means, especially during holidays and now on his birthday.

Thank you for keeping Sean's memory alive in our hearts so he and all our Fallen are never alone, never forgotten.

Happy Birthday Sean, 2/6/83
Love you, miss you, Mom

Sean, I will be thinking of you and your wonderful Mother today. Please know that you will never be forgotten. Celebrate with your brothers in arms and be free today!
There are many celebrations going on in your honor today. I wish I could be there to support your Mother, but many miles between us.
Always remember this: HEROES NEVER DIE, THEY REMAIN IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER.

We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families at this time. War does not discriminate – It breaks my heart to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. This is a Nonprofit Organization to honor are Soldiers!
FREE OIL ON CANVAS PAINTING OF THIS HERO. COMPLETE FORM AT WWW.HEROPAINTINGS.COM
Please contact us! 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

Merry Christmas Sean. You & your family are in our thoughts & prayers today & always. You will never be forgotten. God Bless You.

We salute all the Veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces, you will not be forgotten.

POEM I READ AT SEAN'S MEMORIAL

Do not stand at my grave and 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 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 cry;
I am not there,I did not die.

Today is the birthday of the United States Marines. Tomorrow is Veterans Day. These days call for additional rememberance of Sean, our hero. We will never forget his sacrifice in the name of freedom. His legacy lives on.

to the family of sean stokes.
i did not know sean but from a parent who lost a son in 2005 i know the pain you feel.
you will be in my prayers.

Although I did not know Cpl. Sean A. Stokes, I Hold him and his family in my heart and prayers. Remember when times get tough, that he is looking down from heaven and smiling at you, and protecting you.
Thank You for serving our country to keep us safe, You are Truely a HERO. May He Rest in Peace with the Lord, and Your hearts heal in time.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13

Proud Wife-to-Be of a Marine in Iraq. Please keep him and all the other Soldiers in your Prayers.
Kim Smith (Rocklin, CA)

Well, Sean, it looks like it might be time for this book to be taken off line I know it has to have given your mom, you and your family a lot of comfort. You know by now how very many of us will never forget you. You know that you will live forever in our hearts. That is just what HEROES do!! If anything else could come of this book, I would hope that maybe your Mom could get some peace and rest. She is such a great lady, and, I think it has to be time for her to devote a little time to herself. I know what she will say when she reads this, but it truly is time for her to have some time for herself. Maybe because I just got home from open heart surgery yesterday or just whatever, but you do know that you never be frogotten and that you will live in our hearts forever and ever!

I am sorry I am late. I haven't been home much this summer. Just wanted ou to know that Sean will never be forgotten. HEROES live in our heart forever.
with love
pam dustin

Remembering Sean and thanking him for his brave service to our country. We also thank his family for raising such a fine, honorable young man.

We will never forget him. Our hearts break every time we think of his death.

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 Sean, 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/3o8gol



Sincerely,

Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom SSgt Vince – Lackland AFB
Proud Air Force MIL SrA Dana – Randolph AFB

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

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

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Cpl Stokes!

I just wanted to tell you that you will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. You will be in my thoughts and prayers on this Memorial Day. I will forever think of you as a HERO. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for you service.

Dear Rita and family,
You will be close in our thoughts this weekend as we take time to remember and honor our Fallen Hero's.
We Will Never Forget!

Sean,

You finally are getting the Silver Star Medal that you deserve and it was on your birthday! We wish you could of been here to receive your Medal in person!! We miss you so much & will never forget the brave hero that you are!!! Your legacy will continue to go down in history for many years to come.

To Sean's Dad and Stepmohter:
I picked up the San Francisco Chronicle at my local Safeway store tonight. I never look at the newspapers, but something caught my eye...the Star. I stood there in Safeway reading the article, seeing gary on the front page and wanting to reach through that newspaper and give him a hug. My son is currently in Iraq. I cry every night. I fear every day that the Army will show up on my door step. I know the fear you felt. I don't know how to contact you, but I want you to know I care. Here's a cyber {{{HUG}}}}}. That's all I have to give. Debbie Smyser
www.pacificamilitarymoms.com

I have read so many stories about Sean and wish I could have had the honor to meet him. What a selfless giving soul he was- it must have been a great privilege to know him. His bravery, his honor, his valor, and his sacrifice will NEVER be forgotten by the American people. It is because of courageous men and women such as Sean that the idealogy of FREEDOM has been protected for the next generation, and we are humbled by this young man's service.

To his family and all those who love Sean, I remain very deeply sorrowful that the world lost such a bright light. May your wonderful memories of Sean continue to give you comfort and may you know his legacy lives on in the hearts of the American people. I know that he is standing guard in heaven and watching over his loved ones, and his beloved brothers in the military also. Thank you for raising such a wonderful young man. He will be a hero I remember all the days of my life, and I will consider it my honor to shake his hand when I get to heaven. Thank you Sean for your service to the United States of America. May you rest in peace forever wrapped in the loving arms of angels.

A true American hero,never to be forgotten.God bless Sean and his family.

I talked to him the day he left. We went to Barny's beanery ( a bar and grill) in Pasadena. He talked about how he was training to be a cage fighter. I knew sean all the way back when we were in S.O.I.. We both were chosen to go to Camp Horno 1/1. He was in Bravo Co. and I went to Alpha Co.. I am very sorry for your loss. He was one of a kind. I'll miss him very much. He will always be in my prayers. I know he is in a better place know.

Sincerely,
Former SGT. Jason R. Bragg

The soldier stood and faced his God.
Which always must come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shinning,
Just as brightly as his brass.

Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
No Lord, I guess I aint,
Because those of us who carry guns,
Cant always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasnt mine to keep.
Though I've worked alot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.

Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I've never expected,
Or had too much,
But if you don't....I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier quietly waited,
For the judgement of his God.

Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on heavens streets,
You've done your time in hell.

Semper Fi

Gary,
Though it has been a long time since I have talked with you, my heart goes out to you and your family. I am sorry for the loss of your son, Cpl. Sean Stokes, as I did not know him. I am sure that he was proud to be an American and saddend that he has been taken from you and your family with the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

To the Family of Cpl. Sena Stokes. My sincerest condolences to the loss of a hero. May the Lord give your family strength during this difficult time. My prayers are with you. Your son is with the Lord.
Joseleen Katigbak
BlueStarMom

A poem I found

Your heart is the strongest strength,
even if it is purple.
Or broken,
like the families,
who loved ones went to war and will never come back.
They are strong,
so are you.
On Memorial Day,
guess who it's dedicated to,
that family member,
or other members of families,
who didn't come back.
Who went and didn't come back.
Always in prayers,
they're okay up there,
they went to war and didn't come back.
Or did they?
Not physically, anyway.
But when you say they didn't come back,
they can still live,
always around you,
with you,
in you.
They went to war and came back.
They came back in you.
In your heart.
In your mind.
And they will never leave again.


The Stokes Family,
I am very sorry for your loss. Please take comfort in all the thoughts & prayers coming your way.

Christina Paul
Marine Wife of
SGT. Scott Paul USMC HMLA 369

No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. Our deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.Although we did not know Sean,he served our country and we thank him for that.

Thank you and God's speed Cpl. Sean A. Stokes,U.S.M.C.

To Sean's family and friends: My deepest heart felt condolences for the loss of this great American and proud Marine.

Cead Mile Failte!

Sergeant T. Keleher, Long Beach, (Ca.) Long Beach Police Department

To the parents of Sean, I would like to extend my heart felt sorrow as I know what you are going through and what you will yet go through in the coming weeks. I too am the mother of another fallen soldier and with God's continued support in my life I try to reach out to other who might need the support of someone who has been where you are. I want to offer you the support you may need to contact me anytime so that you may vent, talk or just seek comfort I am here for you. As a Gold Star Mother I've reached out through God's blessings to many across the country and we have a good support group. May God continue to give you and your family the love, comfort and healing that you need. In memory of my son SPC Harry (Buck) Winkler III KIA Samarra, Iraq November 12, 2006

Stand at Ease Marine, knowing that all your brothers, present and former,will carry your memory with them always. May God grant you the peace for all you have done. Semper Fi.

FORGING THE MAN OF STEEL
THE MAKING OF A US MARINE CORPS SWORD
“AS IRON SHARPENS IRON, SO ONE MAN SHARPENS ANOTHER”
PROVERBS 27:17
To make a quality sword you must start with a good piece of quality tool steel. When you purchase it there is nothing outwardly special about it, in fact it would not make a good blade at all in its current state. The only thing special about it is that it has potential, that it was made with good ingredients. However, in it’s present state it is so soft it would bend permanently and make a useless sword. In the right hands however, with the right treatment it can be fashioned into the finest of swords. It is soft now, and easily shaped and molded into the shape you want, but it still lacks the quality on the inside to perform as a blade. To shape it you must put it in the fire, beat it between the unshakable iron anvil and an iron sledge hammer. You have to grind off anything that doesn’t belong, any rough edges or surplus material. Even after heating it, forging it, molding it and shaping it into what you want, it is still useless as a real knife, it would bend the first time it was used and could never hold an edge, but it is now finally a blade in it’s infant state. This is where a good looking but worthless, cheap import sword would be considered done. The quality of a good blade however lies inside and it has to go through much more to bring out the hidden secret qualities buried deep in the steel. The good looking import is an impostor that lacks the integrity to ever be a quality sword.
Now that the blade is shaped the way you want it, and to the untrained eye it looks like a good sword, the quality can start to be brought out. To start this process you have to throw it back in the fire for a while. leaving it to long in the flames will hurt it however, in fact it can do so much damage that the blade may never again reach it’s full potential quality and may be ruined forever. Never the less it has to go back into the refining flames to heat it back to red hot. Then comes a process that totally changes its characteristics, it is quenched violently in cold water. It looks the same as it did before it was heated, but it’s personality has drastically changed now. The violent quench has made it quite hard, dark and cold, it is now as brittle as glass and just as fragile. It is still useless as a real sword, for now it would shatter if you ever used it. It is far to hard to ever shape again, it could never be sharpened or used. The refining fire drew out some of the useless impurities from the steel however and they surfaced on the metal as dross and slag to be brushed off and thrown away.
The personality of the future blade has been changed forever. It is hard, unyielding, brittle and still basically useless in it’s present state. The next process is what finally creates a useful tool. The blade is returned to the fire, but this time It is heated slowly and the extra hardness is drawn slowly out of it until a compromise between it’s infant soft state and its violent unyielding hard state is found. It brings out the best of both personalities, soft enough to bend but spring back, and hard enough to hold an edge and be durable. For the outside observer the steel looks the same as back when it was originally purchased, but to a trained eye the quality is there. It is what is deep inside, forged and refined by the fire, then brought back to a proper temper that counts. Now the steel is well tempered, it is tough enough to be hard when it is tested but soft enough to still be reshaped by skilled hands if needed. It is the best of both worlds. After it is honed to a razor edge and polished to a mirror finish, it is carefully rubbed with a shield of oil to protect it from corrosion and filth that is constantly trying to creep into it’s core and ruin it. Now the sword can finally be trusted to perform as good as it looks.
The sword can stand up to many attacks with little damage. The fact that it is made well on the inside as well as outside protects it. It needs to be maintained, constantly washed, polished, honed and oiled to keep it in it’s top shape. If it gets exposed to the fire again however, the quality will be compromised and the whole process must be carefully redone. That is where the saying “ losing your temper” originated. If it gets damaged by the fire, it’s a shame but it can be carefully and gently restored.
I know a lesson in metallurgy seems odd, but I believe it is a good analogy that is similar to a mans growth with Christ. In the beginning everyone is born with potential quality and some impurities. They are all soft and easily shaped and molded at that young age. As you are shaped into the man God wants you to be you are thrown into the world, which is the fire. That changes your personality forever, it is then your childhood teachings and core beliefs become important. Some people never leave the fire, they stay to long in sin and are permanently damaged or die. God eventually turns them over to their own sinful desires. Others are violently quenched and their personalities and hearts are hardened and changed forever. If God is ignored for to long he allows the heart to harden.
The best men are created when they humble themselves and allow their hearts to be tempered and softened slightly again. They are now streetwise and hard enough to stand up for what is right, but soft enough to still allow wise men and God to continue to shape their lives. Hard enough to protect their families, but soft enough to love them. The perfect temper is rarely achieved until you are too old to be much good, but it is to be constantly pursued.
The world needs Godly men with rock solid character. Men that have been forged, formed, refined and tested by fire. Men that are unwilling to compromise their core values and beliefs. Men of integrity that are solid on the inside as well as the outside. Men anointed with oil, washed in truth, constantly honed polished and maintained by true craftsmen. They may look the same on the outside as other men, but when they are tested they stand up due to their unshakable core qualities.

Written by B.Young 12/01/2006 for his two sons in the USMC

In My Pocket

I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.

My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.

They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.

Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.

But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.

Sean I am so very proud to be a party of your family you are a true hero. You gave up everything to do what you thought was right!!
I miss your smile that would light up any room when you walk into it.
I loved having you come to visit on your weekends when you needed a little R&R. I remember you cooking your favorite spaghetti sauce that your Grandmother taught you how to cook. I only wish that the times when you cooked & said to stay out of the kitchen that I would of watched from a far any way. You have such a talent for everything that you sought out to do. Every time you went fishing with the family you were the only one to catch a fish. I know you are in a better place now & finally getting to meet your Grandfather. I miss you and will always remember the happy times I spent with you. You will always be in my thoughts & prayers. I love you Sean.

Aunt Laura

I learned today of Sean's loss and my prayers tonight are with him and with his family. I never met Sean but of course,I knew you were my brother, because you were a Marine. Semper Fi, Sean and thank you for what you did for me and for our nation. I'll think of you all the days of my life.
Cpl. (1956-1959)

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

I learned today about Sean's loss and I offer my prayers for him and for his family. We never met but of course I knew he was my brother because he was a Marine. Semper Fi Sean,I'll think about you and what you did for me all the days of my life.
Frederick Kells
(Cpl. 1956-1959)

Read today about Sean's life, my heart goes out to his family - who have suffered a great loss. As a former Marine, I will have Sean in my thoughts forever....Semper Fidelis.

He has not gone, for he will live on the hearts and minds of those who truly believe in living their lives through acts of service to their fellow man.

We are all humbled by his fidelity and courage.

Michael Nottage
ex Royal Navy Submariner

All Man, All Marine. You will be missed. Semper Fidelis.

I left the battalion before he arrived, but also served in Lima. A tragic loss to his family, the Marines that knew him, and our Corps.

I had the pleasure of meeting Sean for the first time in the yellow foot prints of MCRD San Diego. Long behold that our path would cross again. I became his company GySgt. I had the privilege of meeting Cpl. Stokes and see that he became a warrior, a leader and a hero. My prayers go to the Stokes family.

GySgt. Catalan
H&S Co.
Company GySgt.
BLT 3/1

My deepest sorrow goes out the my fallen brothers family.
U.S.M.C. Vet