It’s been quite some time since I’ve had a compelling reason to
write a letter to the editor.
Dear Editor:
It’s been quite some time since I’ve had a compelling reason to write a letter to the editor. Many times I think about it but then time passes by and soon enough the thought doesn’t materialize. This time, however, it is important to not forget that the war in Iraq is not over and that as we continue to live day by day in our peaceful community enjoying our freedom, there are still many Americans out there fighting and dying. Every day we hear that more Americans are being killed. As I author this letter, the family of fallen soldier Sgt. Adam Estep of San Jose is dealing with the loss of their young 23-year-old. Like Sgt. Estep, many of the soldiers in Iraq are very young. They are children of families that hold them up in prayer every day. Every day becomes a day of despair when one hears of more deaths out in that country. Every day the family wonders if their loved one is safe. Every day you wonder … when will this come to an end? And every day you pray that no one shows up at your door with bad news.
In this community, there may be families who are in this situation. I want to let you know of one such family. With this letter I want to honor a young man that has at a very young age participated in the front lines of this war. Steven Campos, Sgt. in the Air Force, is one such young man who has put his life on the line in this war with Iraq. As I saw him back home alive and well this past Easter Sunday, I couldn’t help but thank our Lord Jesus Christ for his safety. As I saw his mother’s tears, I instantly knew they were tears of gratitude.
It is a profound and present sorrow to know that your son is in a line of work that may not bring him back home. As I greeted Steven, I wanted to say so much, but there are no words that will ever be enough to thank someone for risking his life in that way. So this message is for Steven Campos. Steven: There is not much I can say, but there’s a lot that I feel every time I think about you. Every time I see a yellow ribbon you come to mind. Every time I see an army uniform you come to mind. Every time I hear on the news that someone else has lost their life in the battlefront you come to mind, and every time I do the same: I ask God to keep you safe and I thank you in my thoughts for being out there doing that job that is for a select few and I surrender you and my tears to God.
Steven comes from a military family. Steven’s father, Reynaldo Campos, served in the Air Force for more than twenty years. David Campos, Steven’s brother, has also fulfilled his duty to the Army and to the United States of America. They are extraordinary, wonderful people who you might have seen out in the community and never know what they have done for the rest of us. If any of you know this family, tip yours hats off to them. It would mean so much.
We all know that behind strong men there are strong women. In this family, there are two women who have been part of this family’s military experience. I tip my hat off to Pat Campos, wife and mother, who is so courageous and strong. Angelica Campos also has had to endure the trying times along with her mom.
On behalf of my family, I want to thank all of you for your sacrifice so that we can enjoy that freedom that always comes at a price.
This having been said, let us not forget that the war in Iraq is far from over. Each one of us may have our different opinions about what’s going on, but for those of us who have family members actively serving in Iraq it is a very difficult and trying time.
Marina Campos,
Gilroy
