(Updated) Mourners salute fallen soldier (& photos from Eddie's funeral)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20100717/NEWS01/707189971/1046838#mourners-salute-fallen-soldier

Published Sunday July 18, 2010

By Leia Mendoza
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Underwood Avenue was awash in red, white and blue.

Hundreds of people, young and old, friend and stranger, stood along more than three blocks, carrying American flags for Pfc. Edwin Wood.

The Patriot Guard was there, too. Hundreds of the motorcycle riders filled the street in tribute to the fallen soldier.

People who had never met the 18-year-old Omahan came to join his family Saturday in saying goodbye.

The 2009 Omaha North High graduate was a scout with the Army's 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan when insurgents bombed his vehicle July 5.

Outside Dundee Presbyterian Church, situated on Underwood Avenue at Happy Hollow Boulevard, the hot air carried the sounds of bagpipes and quiet sobs. People — veterans, children, Boy Scouts and uniformed baseball players — stood in somber salute while others hugged.

FULL updated story and photos at link.

[noamnety]

1. A little more on him:

"Wood, better known as Freckles, worked at YMCA Camp Pokamoke in Crescent, Iowa, as a junior counselor. He was remembered as a role model and known for his giving personality. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the camp flew its flag at half-staff in his honor.

"He was the only person I knew who had a big heart and cared about everyone," said Courtney Janz, a fellow junior counselor.

Wood wrote Janz letters while was still stationed in the United States. While he was home in June, Wood told Janz about his near-death experiences in Afghanistan and said he was having memory loss issues.

"He wouldn't get checked out because he feared not being able to go back to the Army. He was so dedicated," Janz said."

http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/article_394f4638-8a10-11df-b650-001cc4c002e0.html


He was 18 years old.

[Booster]

2. RIP, Freckles. We lost another good man.

:patriot:

[classof56]

3. He was 18. This is unbelievably sad and my heart is heavy.

I have a grandson almost that age, and a friend whose 19-year-old grandson's unit is about to be sent to Afghanistan. Since Day One of Bush's wars I have mourned the dead and asked why? What's the purpose? Questions with no answers, especially knowing what we do now, and in the midst of all the sadness, still no real answer to when it will all end.

Rest in peace, Eddie, and all those who've gone before you, fighting and dying for their country. You did good and I am grateful.

Blessings.

[onethatcares]

4. I salute that soldier, but

how does fighting a war half a world away become fighting for our freedom?

When we invade country after country what other outcome is there? Either our troops die, or they die. NO ONE WINS, only the fear mongers and military industrial complex.

Perhaps, if there was a decent paycheck in counseling inner city youth Pfc Edwin Wood would not have felt the need to protect us from the Taliban.

before you flame me, realize this. I joined the U. S. Army in 1972 to fight the commies in VietNam, I guess I was a lucky one, Nixon gave us peace with honor. I have a son serving now, he's been thru gulf war 1, and did 2 trips of gulf war 2. He still wonders why.

[Scurrilous]

5. K & R

:thumbsup: