There are no words that I could write to ever accurately define the sorrow and regret expressed by Author Jeff Falkel in the book he wrote about his son Chris; “The Making of Our Warrior”, How SSG Chris Falkel became a Green Beret Warrior and Hero. The task of explaining to others the emotions that Jeff expresses through his writing is impossible to accomplish and that is why this book is a must read for everyone. I mean absolutely everyone; ‘disregardless’ of their political affiliation, religious views or any other orientation that may guide anybody’s thought process.
This book will absolutely change your mind about the way you see the world in which we live and the freedoms we take so easily for granted here at home. It will leave some readers feeling ashamed of whom they have become in comparison to this young man, his brothers and his father. For others, they will feel a since of pride in that they shared in his sacrifice in some way; be it through their service to our great nation, in doing their patriotic duty here at home, by serving their own communities in some way or another, or by just flying Old Glory in front of the house, paying their taxes and voting their conscience when the time comes. One thing for sure; after reading this book, the feelings of indifference that many of our fellow citizens feel about OUR war, OUR government, OUR military, OUR freedoms and OUR way of life will no longer exist!
As I read Jeff’s words I could hear Chris calling as he pointed the way, “Pick up a Weapon and Follow Me; I am the Infantry!” Chris’ life example is a call for action, for all to head. The story beckons the reader to take a stance as Chris did. He stood the test in defense of our nation! His life is a call to action, to do that which we are capable of to ensure that life as we know it and the freedoms we have protected will not perish. It is a reminder of exactly who we are as a people and what it has taken for us to become the greatest nation on earth, the last bastion of freedom.
Still, there is one particular point in his writing that I must put my foot down and absolutely disagree with Mr. Falkel about. On various occasions he wrote; “My only regret, of the entire battle, was that I was not there. It is the only regret I have for my entire life. It is a pain that I will never recover from.” And although the pain of having lost his son may never subside; the fact is, Jeff Falkel was there with his son that day and everyday of his life, be it physically or spiritually. Jeff you lived in your son’s heart, in his mind and in his soul.
I can tell you all from my own experiences in life that the lessons my father taught me as a child are still with me and I hear his voice everyday. Whenever I have a decision to make, my first thought is; “How would my father go about doing this?” Then I ask myself, “Would my father approve?”
As a fellow soldier, I am absolutely positive that Chris was asking himself those very same questions from the moment he left home, throughout his time in service and at that very moment of his glory. I know without a shadow of doubt that as he fought so valiantly that day, he had his father there with him, at his side, on his left side, in his Falcon Spirit, covering his Six! Just as Jeff feels that his son Chris is there with him, guiding him, making demands of him to this day, he was there with Chris that day, if not in body, then in mind and soul.
For over two decades you were there for him, and prepared him to face the greatest moments of his life. You prepared him to become one of a few selected individuals to earn the Green Beret. You prepared him to spread his wings and fly as only he could, as a member of that ‘Spartan Team of Brothers.’ You prepared him so that he would be able to take his place around the fire as a member of something greater than himself, as member of the Brotherhood! The Brotherhood of the Warrior, the Brotherhood of the Special Forces Soldier and with him he brought the spirit of his father, and in his action he reflected the spirit of his ancestors, the Lakota Spirit of the Falcon!
Because of you, your son Chris earned his place in history as a Warrior among Warriors. He has brought honor and respect to his name, to his Brothers-in-Arms and to ‘Our’ family. Therefore I say feel not regret, for you did your part and embrace the pain; because as you wrote, “That which does not kill us, only makes us stronger!”
God Bless the Falkel Family and our Nations Warriors!
“De Oppresso Liber!”
S. B. (Steve) Newman, Author
The Night Eagles Soared
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