A Brother's Words; A Sister's Thoughts by Cindy Campbell

August 22, 2000 - Email from Chris: "I am re-enlisting in November for 3 years, but I have been searching the net for firefighter positions. I someday would like to land a federal job doing something of that magnitude. It just feels so nice being so close to freedom!! I could actually grow long hair again before it falls out!! Not that I do this job for the money, but after this cruise and experiencing "different" and new things, I have realized that I don't want to continue doing this for an extended amount of time. I would like to enjoy life and not put myself in "harms" way so much. I'll be honest with you. I never hesitated at any moment, but the human deep down inside of this shell was scared a few times and understood how life is nothing but a flash!!" --------------- Over the years I've heard many people say "I wish I could've met your brother". My typical response is "you have". There are heroes among us, if we c...

Chris called me before his last deployment in June 2011. I was so happy to hear his voice, and it was a great phone call. We had a lot to catch up on in that conversation. Our next correspondence occurred a few weeks later via email. On July 3rd, I sent Chris a message. Due to being out of the country and the nature of his work, I learned that it could be a while before I received a response. It always made my day when I logged on and saw my brother's email address! I moved the end of 2010 and was sharing about my new place and that I returned to my former home to visit those I left behind and said, " I miss my friends - that's the hardest thing about being so far away ." Chris responded with, " glad you were able to go back for a visit, and yes, leaving friends behind is always the toughest thing about moving... I guess the only way to help adjust is immerse yourself in an exterior pastime... always helps me !". It was what I needed to hear and from the one...

Although I can talk with almost anyone, I spend a lot of time in solace to recharge. Over the years, I have grown accustomed to this oddity in my personality and have learned to push myself; however, there are certain "eventful" days when I know it's better to keep firm boundaries in place and hunker down. Memorial Day is one of those. Hearing from people who knew and love Chris has been really helpful through the years, especially because their memories with Chris bolster me on difficult days. Each relationship Chris had was dear to his heart, and each person who knew Chris holds a piece of his beautiful life's puzzle. My brother's life is truly celebrated when individuals are willing to kindly offer their piece. Chris' best friend, Joe, recently shared several stories and has given me permission to pass them along on this National Day of Remembrance - Memorial Day.  --------------------------------- "The year we graduated [from high school] my nephew, Z...

Not too long ago, I had the great joy of hearing some remarkable stories from Chris' best friend, Joe. He referenced my mom in his recollections and since it's Mother's Day, I thought it would be perfect to share one of his special memories from when he first met Chris, with his permission. Thank you, Joe! "I met Chris in August, 1991, on the practice field for White Oak High School football prior to the start of our junior year. I had a 1969 MG and Chris, being the opportunist that he always was, asked me to give him a ride home after practice. And Mrs. Campbell, being the kind-hearted, second mother that she ultimately became for me , let us eat all the corn dogs she had in the freezer. It was the first day of a friendship that grew into something so much more. Chris and I were inseparable. I grew up in the area and had friends that I had known since kindergarten, but my bond with Chris was different. Even after that first day, I felt like I knew him all of my life. ...

Do you have moments in life that make you ask yourself, are you kidding me? Shortly after my brother was killed, I had one of those moments. Learning that Chris left a wish that 100,000 people would donate to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) fit the "are you kidding me?" criteria, in a big way! I had never heard of WWP before August 6th, 2011. My google search made my heart fill with pride as I started going through the website. They serve ALL branches of the military and ALL ranks. Race, religion or gender does not matter! If someone served in the military after 9/11, the programs and services offered by WWP are there for them. The organization exists "to help foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history".  My brother, a little kid from a town in North Carolina, grew up to be a member of one of the most elite military forces, and in spite of that, retained a sense of compassion for others as he considered his ...

On June 21st, 2000, Chris emailed me from a cyber-cafe in the Phillipines. He and a few others took a tour of Corregidor Island. He wrote "If you are not up on your military history, this little island was the last stronghold that the U.S. and Phillipines were holding against Japan in WW2. This is the place where General MacArthur said those famous words, ' I shall return '. I am getting goosebumps typing!!"  While on this trip, Chris had a particularly interesting encounter. "And, get this, this little guy that lived in the hills and fished for a living sold me this original dog tag that he dug up in the jungle. The moment I saw it I just [knew I] have to return it to the family that it belongs to. The soldier's name was Michael P. from Pittsburgh, PA. His wife's name and their home address is on the tag. This is my mission. I choose to accept. I will be so happy to find them and return it!" Chris ended this email to me by suggesting I call our mom ...

What does it mean to be a  Warrior Queen?  It’s a lifetime of care and love that often goes unseen. For there is no glory at the very start, when a mother first hears the beat of a brave heart. Days turn to weeks as she watches her belly grow. She will soon deliver a hero the world has yet to know. Her heart melted when handed her sweet bundle of joy. It was love at first sight for this mother and baby boy. Protecting and guiding little steps is no easy feat. The challenge of parenting can be bittersweet. Diapers to change and tears to wipe away. Picnics, birthdays and ball games to watch and play. In the blink of an eye, he donned cap and gown. His quest for adventure meant he would soon be leaving town. He felt alive with the sand between his toes and surfboard in hand. The roar of the ocean was with him as he left to serve our homeland. His mother continued her silent prayers for his body and soul. The safe return of this grown, young man had become her goal. Her quiet vigi...