Corrected Bronze reflects Silver Star Award , BSM, PH

"TIME"

Another New Year is celebrated.

Yet I count Two Years, Six Months and Ten Days.

I will not believe.

The phone never rings, the door bell doesn't chime.
Your letter has not arrived, it has yet to be written.

You live on. In my heart, in my love, in my every breath.
No one can, nor ever will take you from me.

I will not be shamed into quiet submission because I speak your name, share a memory.

You will not be forgotten.

Happy New Year Patrick.

I miss you .

The link below to article outlines what those of us experiencing loss and staying in tune with the reality of the situation in Afghanistan have long been aware of. Now if only it's acted upon swiftly before one more American life is sacrificed because we don't have enough boots and equipment on the ground to ensure the safety of our troops.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081001/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_afghanistan_14

We shall never forget: SSG Patrick Lee Lybert
KIA 21 June, 2006, Afghanistan

Son, today is the 31st date of your birth.How we miss you. Words cannot explain.When a babe you loved when I sang for you. You remain " My only Sunshine".

We shall never fail to speak your name, to remember the warmth of your smile, depth of laugh, twinkle in blue of your eye, bear hugs,strength of your conviction and sacrifice for all.

We continue our pledge to your memory to always advocate for troop support.

Your name and honor is remembered by many. Your expressed concern for the protection of your men in Afghanistan continues as we pursue on your behalf. Especially now as your 3-71 Cav 10th Mnt Div is about to redeploy to Afghanistan. There are men with that Brigade who knew you and will return. They have told us they feel your presence and your lead, taking great pride in having been a part of your history. They are Son, as we have come to realize your legacy.

You are with us each moment of every day.

You are loved. We shall never forget. We shall never let America forget.

Always and Forever,

Mommy and Your Brothers Stacy and Patrick

Link to Stars Strips Article re Camp Lybert Attack on 9/11/2008. Includes video interview of soldiers, sights and sounds. Are they closing because it's quiet? Or because we don't have enough boots on the ground to adequately man this post and we are yielding ground our troops build roads through, sacrificed life and injury for?

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=57645&sendemail=1

I recieved and then accepted invitation to meet and greet Senator John McCain when he arrived in Green Bay, WI on 9/18/2008.

There's been some press and blogging about it. Some truth and some misconception.

For any of you having questions, here is the letter I wrote Sen. John McCain THANKING him for acknowledging my son and Afghanistan....... I wrote:

Dear Senator McCain,

I am the mother of Fallen Soldier SSG Patrick Lee Lybert who met you at the Green Bay, Wisconsin Airport on 9/18/08.There was no time to fully express my feelings to you.

I felt You, Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband to be the warmest, most sincere down to earth people one could hope to meet.

I cannot begin to explain to you the impact upon my heart when I looked into your eyes. I had my composure until that moment. I struggled to hold tears and maintain some dignity, but feel I failed miserably.

Here in front of me was the man I have held in such high esteem for so many years. A man my own son greatly respected, called hero or more reverently "The McCain".

Television and photo do not do justice to you Sir. Your face is so beautiful, a face of compassion, wisdom and light. A man not afraid to say God Bless you and I know you really meant it.

When you hugged me I thought my heart would break. I could barely speak. I was trying to hold back the emotion I felt.

For in my minds eye, as you came down those steps I was seeing that younger John McCain, the soldier I had watched on television return home in 1973 when I was but 17. I remember my heart breaking and tears running then wishing I could hug you and take your pain.

Now all these years later I stood before you as you walked off a plane, this time as Mother of a Fallen Soldier and you hugged me - my mind could barely assemble it all.

Thank you for accepting the gift I gave you, the Photo Dog Tags of my son, along with my note. And yes, they are meant for you to share if you wish, have no doubt of that! (The press seems to have misunderstood the type of dog tag. You clearly held them up and they were clearly photographed and videoed as photo dog tags.)

Our family is so honored!

The most important part is that you read my note, spoke of my son Patrick, and Afghanistan at the conclusion of your speech in Green Bay.

I had been unable to stay as I had to get home to my special needs son. ( I had a four hour drive).

When I walked in Noah ask me "did you give him the photo dog tags of my brother? Will he say my brother's name and talk about Afghanistan tonight?" I had told him I didn't think you would have time but that you had them and he nodded.

Then came the news and video clips. You gave such tribute and honor to Patrick. Noah is so happy!

I could hardly wait to convey the news on to the soldiers I'm in contact with at Camp Lybert in Afghanistan (they are from Fort Hood, Texas) - Then to my son's Comrades and 3-71 Cav 10th Mnt Div at Fort Drum - soon to redeploy to Afghanistan, again before January. Do you know they refer to this as "the forgotten war"?

They are so thankful to you for what you have done!

One said "what you did was to give SSG Lybert's (memory) and all of us who know what was lost out there HOPE!

There are of course those who have posted a dig here or there at you and I over this as they did not bother to get the full facts.

But please, Senator McCain, do not stop!

Know my family and I are so proud to back you! My son Patrick would swell with pride knowing you hold and acknowledge photo dog tags of him, and that you give attention to our troops in Afghanistan.

"It's not about the war, it's about standing behind the troops who stand in front of us".

Thank you Senator McCain,and again God Bless you.

I hold you in prayer.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Lee Patrick

Ladysmith, WI

Mother of SSG Patrick Lee Lybert

KIA 21 June, 2006, Afghanistan

_______

post script: equally blessed to have had Senator McCain acknowledge our request for troop support to Afghanistan and reference Patrick with such great respect on CBS 60 Minutes (aired 9/21/08). Remember, as Patrick's Mother my position is not about politics, being for or against the war. It's about standing behind the troops who stand in front of us.

"A Message from Our Loved Ones Who Have Gone Before Us:

To the living I am gone,
To the sorrowful I will never return,
To the angry I was cheated.
To the happy, I am at peace.
And, to the faithful, I have never left.

I cannot speak, but I can listen.
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.

So, as you stand upon a shore,
gazing at a beautiful sea,

REMEMBER ME.

Remember Me in your heart, in your thoughts,
and the memories of the times we loved,
the memories of the time we shared.

for if you always think of Me,
I will never have gone."
-author unknown
* * * * *
We shall Never Forget. You are never gone from our thoughts, heart and memory.

Love,
Mommy and Brothers