This year, Department of Virginia American Legion Riders Chapter Post 177 "adopted" Linda and Gene Lamie, the Gold Star parents of one of our Nations Heroes. Sgt Gene L. Lamie was Killed in Action on July 6th, 2007 in Iraq.
We were honored to have Linda and Gene Lamie share their lives with us this past weekend.
Mrs. Lamie asked that I share the following:
Gene left May 7, 2007 for his 2nd tour of Iraq he was with the 3-7 Cav Gary Owen. I did not know until after his death that Gene had told many friends and family members that he knew he was not going to make it home. He would have never told me that. But before he left we spent as many days with him, his wife Dara , his two children 10 month old Gene Benjamin and his daughter Lyrean 5. We had many cook outs and over night trips together.
One of the Sgt in his unit asked him "If you knew you were not going to make it back, would you still go?" Gene answered "Yes, the men under me are counting on me. When I am strong they will be strong, I need to go to make sure all of them come home. Just a few nights before he left I was up late talking with Gene, he followed me in the kitchen to get a fresh glass of sweet tea his favorite. He just stood there and said to me "Mom, I love you and you have been a great mom." I want you to know that I am so thankful that you are my mom. I had no idea this was his way of saying good bye to me. He called his dad right before he got on the plane "Dad if any thing happens I want to be buried at ANC" Of course his dad said you will be fine you will be home. Gene said " I know Dad but don't forget if I don't make it back I want to be at ANC so my children will know what I stood for". Then he said Dad all I ever wanted to do was to be as good as a Dad as you were. Gene was saying good by to his father.
Gene called the last time on Sunday July 1st . He sounded so tired he said he had just come back from a mission and it was getting rough over there. We told him we loved him and to stay safe. He promised he would. Gene was hit by a IED on his way back to the fob he and his driver were KIA.
Below is some thing I wrote because I never understood when some one said to me "thank you"
I raised a Hero I did not take the oath; I did not raise my hand All I did was have a child who grew to be that man He did his job with honor, his men he led with pride He was not afraid to fight, he was not afraid to die The baby I held in my arms, the boy I raised to be a man He put his self in danger in a foreign land He said not to worry; He said I will come home Those words come back to haunt me said over a phone The knock on the door is always just a moment ago The tears in my eyes the pain that breaks my soul For I did not take the oath I did not raise my hand All I did was raise a child who grew to be that man The baby that I held, the child I watched grow Filled my heart with so much joy as only a mother can know The memories of his life will stay with me forever The connection of our hearts can never be severed They awarded me the title of Gold Star Mother Because my son gave his life for the protection of others But I did not take the oath; I did not raise my hand All I did was raise a boy who grew to be that man
By Linda Lamie mother of Sgt Gene L. Laime KIA 07-06-07 Taji Iraq
Thank you for your sacrifice and thank you what you continue to do each and every day for our Gold Star Families. One can only imagine the pain and suffering that you experienced when your son made the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation. May his soul rest in peace.
We can promise you HE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
Date(s): May 26th, 2013. Album by Bob Sussan. Photos by Bob Sussan. 1 - 8 of 8 Total. 716 Visits.
