Sgt Lance Eakes
...Lance was my son's room mate in Iraq... he was the one that joked with me about being an old hippie... and lived with Josh's quirks ... he was the gunner in the humvee my son was driving when the IED hit.... as a matter of fact , Josh & Lance were joking around right before the hit....
..The Army trains them to never leave a man behind.... Josh never left his man behind... he was with Lance til the end....
...another 1132nd fallen hero... there are 5 of them now.... 17 wounded physically... a whole unit wounded emotionally.... pray for Josh... pray for Ben Parrish... pray for Lance's family. I spoke with his mom just awhile ago... one heartbroken mama to another....
.... I'll observe Blog Silence until after the funeral... comments will remain open.... they are the bravest... the 1132nd War Devils.....
I hope I'm wrong, but Lance may be the son of a friend of mine who is also a member of the NC National Guard. We served together when I worked at the State headquarters. If this is Otis' son, I remember Lance as a young boy. Truly sad. My prayers are with the Eakes family.
Posted by: Larry | April 21, 2008 at 12:01 PM
I remember Lance as the young boy I used to play with at church...I'm so saddened by his loss and yet pround at the same time of the hero he became. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Posted by: Allison | April 21, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Lance was friendly, polite and courageous young man. He had a wonderful smile, and was always kind to me and my family. All give some, Lance gave all. God Bless Lance and his family. We will always remember you with great pride and love Lance. Thank you for giving so that we can enjoy freedom.
Posted by: Helen | April 21, 2008 at 03:47 PM
Lance was friendly, polite and courageous young man. He had a wonderful smile, and was always kind to me and my family. All give some, Lance gave all. God Bless Lance and his family. We will always remember you with great pride and love Lance. Thank you for giving so that we can enjoy freedom.
Posted by: Helen | April 21, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Sending lots of prayers to Lances family. What a couragesous and strong man. Thank you Lance for all that you have done so that we may have our freedom.
Posted by: Melissa | April 21, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Lance was one of my best friends and one of the most loyal and caring individuals I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Perhaps the most unique thing about Lance was his drive and passion for life. He truly stomped the Terra. The fire that radiated from his soul didn't just flicker or smolder, it SCORCHED. Too few people possess the guts and sheer will to grab life by the throat and throttle it until it screams for mercy. Not even death could intimidate him (or at least he'd never admit it). There is a hole in my heart tonight with the knowledge that I will never see Lance's face again.
Posted by: Brandon | April 21, 2008 at 11:39 PM
Lance was one of my best friends and one of the most loyal and caring individuals I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Perhaps the most unique thing about Lance was his drive and passion for life. He truly stomped the Terra. The fire that radiated from his soul didn't just flicker or smolder, it SCORCHED. Too few people possess the guts and sheer will to grab life by the throat and throttle it until it screams for mercy. Not even death could intimidate him (or at least he'd never admit it). There is a hole in my heart tonight with the knowledge that I will never see Lance's face again.
Posted by: Brandon | April 21, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Praying for you and the families of these young brave men.
Posted by: Bren | April 22, 2008 at 05:08 AM
May God bless, heal, comfort and protect the troops, and the families.
My heart is saddened and immensely grateful.
Posted by: Kerensa | April 22, 2008 at 06:29 AM
My deepest condolences go out to Lance's family and friends. He was a fearless soldier and faithful friend. Lance and I were getting close while he was in Iraq. It was one of those relationships where we were waiting for him to return home before we made it official, though I suppose it was unskpoken that it already was. He would call me at least once a day and we would talk of the adventures we were going to have upon his return home. I would give anything to see his shining smile and to hear his comforting voice again. I know he touched the hearts of everyone that knew him, he was just that wonderful. He will be missed terribly and with the up most grievance. My heart aches and goes out to anyone affected by this tragedy.
Posted by: Katrina | April 22, 2008 at 08:17 AM
I came over from Cheryl's blog. I'm praying for the parent's of your sons friend and for your son.
What heroes these young men are. We are all proud of them.
Posted by: Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks&Me | April 22, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Prayers for peace and comfort to all the Eakes family and friends. I knew Lance back in '94-'95 or so from church activities.
Posted by: Travis | April 22, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Hi Lea~ You were on my mind, so I thought I would check in on you. My heart nearly stopped when I read the news about Josh being injured. I'm so sorry that I'm just now seeing it. I want you to know that I have his name written on my prayer list. I know that it was the prayers of "strangers" who helped bring my brother home safely from Iraq. We are so grateful...
How are YOU feeling these days? Oh, and I know this is so late, but no--I wasn't at the wedding. I am only a customer of Jessica's modest boutique, but have followed their love story through her blog. What a precious wedding! I would have loved to be able to help celebrate. I'm sure there wasn't a dry eye.
Take care,
Amy
Posted by: Amy | April 23, 2008 at 02:54 PM
I'm typing through tears. I will add these names to my personal prayer journal.
My son and his friends are deployed in Afghanistan and though I am a writer... I can't find words.
I offer up prayers from my heart to a mighty Lord.
Posted by: Sandy | April 23, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Lance was a great soldier as well as a great person. I rode in the truck he was the gunner in on several occassions. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was really developing his life plan. I also had the privlige of working with Sgt. Freeman and am at a loss of words to express how I feel. These men did their duty with honor and will never be forgotten. All of the 1132nd MP Co. will remain in my prayers and never be forgotten. It was an honor to work with and ride in the same trucks as these young men who sacrificed everything for the mission.
Posted by: International Police Advisor P. Quill | April 24, 2008 at 01:18 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with the Eakes family. My heart goes out to you Lea, you've had so much to shoulder in resent months. As always I will be thinking about you. God Bless
Posted by: Wanda | April 24, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Eakes my friend you were a true Soldier. May you rest with God untill we meet again.
In your Honor SGT. Eakes
A Soldier Tears Never Come,
From the rattling of that Gun,
A Soldier Tears Never Fall,
With the Crumbling of the Walls,
A Soldiers Tears are Not Found,
With the Blood Upon the Ground,
A Soldiers Tears Come at Night,
For those we have lost in the Fight.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 24, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Eakes my friend you were a true Soldier. May you rest with God untill we meet again.
In your Honor SGT. Eakes
A Soldier Tears Never Come,
From the rattling of that Gun,
A Soldier Tears Never Fall,
With the Crumbling of the Walls,
A Soldiers Tears are Not Found,
With the Blood Upon the Ground,
A Soldiers Tears Come at Night,
For those we have lost in the Fight.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 24, 2008 at 09:06 PM
My prayers are with you all.
Posted by: Bonnie | April 25, 2008 at 04:51 AM