Yesterday, June 20 2007, Sgt. Christos Karigiannis was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan. Chris was 31 years old. A bomb killed him and 2 of his men, Pte. Joel Wiebe(22), and Cpl. Stephen Bouzane (26) in what was thought to be a secured area. Chris was going on leave tomorrow to New Zealand. He was very excited about this trip, as he loved to travel and experience new things. He was a former Skyhawk, and we shared a passion for skydiving, surfing, motor cycle riding, and a number of other extreme sports. We had been dating before he left in February, and I was looking forward to his return in August.
I found out by watching the news last night. It didn't seem real. It still doesn't. I keep foolishly hoping that someone will call me and let me know that is was a mistake. That he is okay. Even though I know he is gone. Everyone is asking if there is anything they can do. I don't know whether to cry more, go numb, or tell them to bring Chris back to life and then we'll talk. I know it sounds insane, but this is where I am now.
He was an incredible man. He had very high standards that he held himself to. He had always striven to make the world a better place, and gave his life in the attempt. He had modern day respect for equality and old school manners. He held the door for me and gave the best hugs ever. He was trilingual. He was intelligent and open minded. He believed in getting all the facts and making informed decisions. He was excited to go over seas to serve. He wanted to help stabilize a country that was in the grip of war. He wanted to help people who were less fortunate than us. He was a truely good person.
I will miss him.
Moosetracks
26 Comments
I lost a very close friend a couple of years ago. Not in a war admittedly, but his loss is still keenly felt. I do gain some reassurance though from knowing that he is still around; in my memories, in the things he used to say and the mannerisms we who knew him now use as a matter of course - and each time we do, we remember him and feel that somehow, he is still with us.
There is nothing anyone can say or do to help your pain; only you can do that. But be comforted if you can, knowing that (and I'm sure I speak for all Woyano's) we feel for you.
*hugs*
And if you ever need to talk to somebody use the woyano email thing and email me .
Not only is this a great loss for you and your family, but this is a great loss to the people of this nation.
You are in our prayers.
I want to express my most sincere support to you for the difficult times you have to bear.
Losing somebody you love is a tragedy.
For the moment, if you allow me to give advice. You need to express your feelings with us or those you have around. It is time for those who love you to help you in these moments. Secondly, although it seems hard to stand up and walk. Give yourself a nice present, for yourself. Make a trip, meet friends you did not contact for a while, make new friends, go to a nice place and swim in the beach. Life puts us in front of difficult experiences, but there is no other way than looking forward. This, of course, does not mean that you have to forget that person. The opposite, think about him, think that such a person chosed to date with you for the good things he found in you, that problably linked to the good things you saw in him. Promote those positive feelings as a celebration of the times you spent together. You will never forget him, neither the traumatic experience of losing him, but you have to work hard to not to let those feelings prevent you from moving forward.
I wrote this lines with my best intention and I hope you will not find them intrusive.
I would also like to add a comment from another perspective. It is time that american society forces their government and the political parties to shift the political agenda on foreing affairs. As I read on this post, three men aged no more than 35 years, have seen their life lost, while they could have given the best of themselves for their country. I say this, because I am extremely critical with the role of the US army in both Afghanistan and Irak.
And what is worse, the role the us army has as a tool for global domination, rather than what should be its key role, to defend their country and secure it's independence and sovereignety.
Today there are too many evidences, that would take too long to explain here that show clearly that the US foreign policy is wrong and more adapted to the corporate agenda than serving people's interests.
While those who where subjecting afghanistan to a terror regime, where in power, the person that seats today on the oval office in the white house invited them for a visit to discuss the construction of an gas pipe that would take gas from the caspian sea to pakistan and india, though crossing the whole of afghanistan.
Today the man governing Afganistan is the former assessor of UNOCAL for afghanistan. Unfortunately the corporates, the republican office and the media are trying to hide the real agenda on afghanistan. It is true that things have changed in Afghanistan. But again, as we saw with the fall of the berlin wall, more energy has been invested in opening western supermarkets, Mcdonalds, Burger kings than making it a better place to live for local people.
Nowadays Afghanistan is being intervened thanks to a UN resolution, although I was very critical with the invasion I agree that both in Afghanistan and Irak, leaving the place can be worse, and that also in Irak UN should have a stronger intervention, so peace making is more dedicated to people than to petrol related infrastructure.
Christos Karigiannis Pte. Joel Wiebe, and Cpl. Stephen Bouzane as well as all the hundreds that have died in these to invasions, have been killed by those who killed them, but they have been put in afghanistan following the dumbest foreing affairs policy the US has followed in decades (which is a lot, since appart form WW2, the policy has been disastrous and evil.
THis is in my very humble opinion, the real tragedy today for the american people.
I know that it may sound demagogic and opportunistic to write what I have written. But unfortunately I felt I would be insincere if I did not. Since for now to much blood has been wasted in the business of war, under the G. W. Bush regime, and also historically the actions during the seventies in places like Guatemala, Salvador, Chile.
US is a great country full of wonderful people, it is time to let the world see it in its full dimension and abandon the recipies from the past.
A basque saying says "gaixki esana barkatu." = If I said something wrong, I am sorry.
Bye
Finally , be strong in the lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of god so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefor put on the full armour of god, so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything, to stand.
Peace be in your mind friend.
In the same week, so many civilians, men, women and children have been killed in allied actions that Mohammad Karzai, President of Afghanistan, has been moved to brand these actions "careless".
The whole thing is beyond wasteful of human life, and beyond the misery of grieving mothers, everywhere.
I will pass on all of the kind thoughts and prayers to his family at his funeral on Saturday June 30, 2007. He will be buried in his home town of Laval, Quebec. I will be flying down east some time this week.
Again, thank you
Hey you know AdGuy always gets the last word! ;)