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May 15, 2007

Andrew J. Bacevich. 1st Lt, 3/8 Cav, 1st Cav

Topics: Iraq

Last night Jules made a phone call that no one ever wants to have to make, and no one ever wants to receive:

I haven't had to make that kind of call much since I became an editor, but tonight when it needed to be done, I preferred to be the one to do it. Andy Bacevich answered the phone but was brusque, just said he couldn't talk about it right now. Later, he sent me an email. "He joined the Army to serve his country in time of need. We love him and mourn his loss." And a photo of his beloved son, who looks exactly like him, smiling, with bright eyes, at Patrol Base Love, Iraq.

I found out about it in the usual way. I was scanning the AP's region wire on deadline for nibs ... news in brief items, a routine deadline task ... and saw the story slugged "soldier killed." Those don't go into nibs, but they do get opened up right away. The name stopped me cold. Andrew J. Bacevich. 1st Lt, 3/8 Cav, 1st Cav.

... A beloved son who followed in his father's footsteps and gave his life for his country, as his father had put himself in harm's way in another war four decades before. So Andy Bacevich begins the terrible journey of a father who has to bury a son, and decide for himself what it means.

... It breaks my heart to think of a father's dreams shattered and it is all I can do not to sob at the thought of it.

Read all of "Beloved Son" ...

I fear such a call every minute of every day, as do thousands of others with sons, daughters, husbands and wives in Iraq. May all of us include Lt. Bacevich's family in our prayers tonight.

Posted by Richard at May 15, 2007 4:38 PM

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