I've heard it called a death letter but I don't know if that is the actual name
I don't know if it has an actual name
but I do know what it is is something that soldiers sometimes write when they
deploy in the harm's way then they put it with your gear or in a footlocker
where it will be found or they give it to a friend to pass on in case they die
a letter to the family they won't see again the mothers that
gave them life to father's that raised them to wives that they left at home to
children they miss and in some cases to the children they've never even met
it's a goodbye letter with a title something like in case I don't come home
well Jesse Givens rocked Springfield Missouri wrote one of those letters he
wrote it to his wife Melissa and their son Dakota nicknamed toad and to their
unborn son nicknamed bean who would ultimately be named Carson and here is
what he said in that letter in case he didn't come home my family I never
thought I would be writing a letter like this I really don't know where to start
I've been getting bad feelings though and well if you're reading this I am
forever in debt to you Dakota and the bean I searched all my life for a dream
and I found it in you I would like to think that I made a positive difference
in your lives I will never be able to make up for the bad I am so sorry the
happiest moments in my life all deal with my little family I will always have
with me the small moments we all shared the moments when you quit taking life
seriously and smiled the cylons of a beautiful boys laughter or the simple
nudge of a baby unborn you will never know how complete you have made me each
and every one of you you saved me from loneliness and taught me how to think
beyond myself you taught me how to live and to love you open my eyes to a world
I never dreamed existed I am proud of you stay on the path you choose never
lose sight of what is important you and our babies Dakota you are more son than
I could ever ask for I can only hope I was half the dad I used to be your Danny
but no matter what it makes me proud that you chose me you taught me how to
care until it hurts you taught me how to smile again you taught me that life
isn't so serious and sometimes you have to play you have a big beautiful heart
through life you need to keep it open and follow it never be afraid to be
yourself I will always be there in our Park when you dream so we can still play
I hope someday you will have a son like mine make them smile and shine just like
you
I love you code and I hope someday you will understand why I didn't come home
please be proud of me please don't stop loving life take in every breath like
it's your first I love you code I will always be there with you I'll be in the
Sun shadows dreams and joys of your life
baby beam I never got to see you but I know in my heart you are beautiful I
know you will be strong and big-hearted just like your mom and brother I will
always have with me the feel of the soft nudges on your mom's belly and the joy I
felt when we found out you're on your way
I dream of you every night I always will don't ever think that since I wasn't
around that I didn't love you you were conceived of love and I came to this
terrible place for love I love you as I do your mom and brother with all my
heart and soul please understand that I had to be gone so that I could take care
of my family I love you being
I have never been so blessed as the day I met Melissa you are my angel soulmate
wife lover and best friend I am sorry I did not want to have to write this
letter there is so much more I need to say so much more I need to share a
lifetime's worth I married you for a million lifetimes that's how long I will
be with you please keep our baby safe please find it in your heart to forgive
me for leaving you alone take care of yourself believe in yourself you are
strong big-hearted woman teach our babies to live life to its fullest and
tell yourself to do the same don't forget to take toad to Disney World
I'll be there with you Melissa I will always want you need you and love you in
my heart mind and soul do me a favor after you tuck toad and beam in give
them hugs and kisses from me go outside look at the stars and count them don't
forget to smile love always your husband yes
and Jesse didn't come home on May 1st 2003 Jesse Gibbons was killed while
conducting combat operations in Havana Iraq when his Abrams tank plunged into
the fray DS River after the bank along the river collapsed the three other crew
members made it out of the tank Jesse did not
another brave warrior gone like so many other warriors he left behind a family a
wife and children and a mother and father and friends and life he left
behind everything every smile every laugh every hug from his boys every kiss
from his wife everything going
and on this Memorial Day let us remember
let us remember those soldiers sailors airmen and Marines those brave warriors
who for us for our freedom left everything behind and after the Sun sets
on this Memorial Day and darkness consumes the sky go outside and look up
and say thank you to those heroes that now grace the heavens and then look at
the Stars and count them and as much as your soul
aches with sadness as you mourn your fallen family and friends and brothers
in arms don't forget that they did not sacrifice their lives for us to live in
that Ness
no they sacrificed their lives so we could live in joy and happiness so even
on this most solemn day Memorial Day don't forget for them
to smile