This past Saturday we celebrated. Twenty-four years ago today Edmund (Eddie) John Jeffers entered the world. One hundred and seventy-two days ago Sergeant Eddie Jeffers left his short earthly life to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Eddie greatly impacted the lives of his wife, parents, siblings, and his friends throughout his life. Eddie also impacted America the last two hundred and thirty days of his life in ways that amazed him and still does those he left behind. My little boy truly became a man; a great man.

 

Many of the readers of the New Media Journal were introduced to Eddie last February 1, 2007 with his now famous article “Hope Rides Alone.” Within an hour of Frank Salvato publishing Eddie’s article I began receiving dozens of emails daily for 3 weeks straight. Eddie had touched the heart strings of those who love our troops. Others were not so enamored with Eddie’s treatise and sent some pretty derisive comments; most dissenters questioned Eddie’s authorship with his being “only an infantryman.”

 

What these doubters did not realize was that Eddie was gifted with an amazing writing ability. He began writing stories as early as age 7. He was also a voracious reader. When I was an instructor at the Army Aviation Center Noncommissioned Officer Academy I had my students read the book “Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara and write a book report on one particular character.

 

Eddie saw the book at home and asked me about it. I told him that it was a book about the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War and that I made my students write a book report on their favorite character. Eddie asked if he could read the book and I said yes. Once he got done he sat with me one Saturday and told me who his favorite character was and why. It was more detailed and well analyzed than what many of my students had turned in.

 

Eddie was eleven years old when he did that.

 

Like I said, he had a gift; he had the uncanny ability to view things and apply common sense to a subject and yet state it with an amazingly simple eloquence.

 

As great as Eddie’s writing ability was, his concern for others was his true gift; it represented his heart. This may sound somewhat of a mushy description for such a seasoned combat veteran, but Eddie was a sweet young man. His love for his wife, family, friends, and fellow soldiers was what drove him.

 

Eddie honored me greatly as his father. At the end of his first appearance on Greg Allen’s The Right Balance, Greg asked us each why we loved one another. Greg is really good at asking questions you don’t expect. Eddie looked at me somewhat puzzled, shrugged his shoulders, and said simply, “I love him because he’s my Dad.” That still blesses me today; all he knew is that I was his Dad.

 

Eddie would call or email me from Iraq and on occasion he would say, “Dad I need some of your wisdom” or “I need some godly advice.” When he was home on R&R this past June I told him at our dinner table how much that blessed me. He gave me that same confused look he had with Greg’s question. He honestly didn’t know what to say; again he shrugged his shoulders and said “You’re welcome” after I thanked him. Again, it was all he knew; I was his Dad.

 

I share this with you to not bring attention to me; many godly men raise their boys in “the way they should go” and not all sons honor their fathers; it’s a free will thing. Eddie honored me because of who he was; he loved me and never hesitated to show me.

 

I so miss those emails and phone calls.

 

Eddie had some fine birthday parties in his life, but somehow I know this one is going to be very special, not unlike “His Best Christmas Ever.” As a theologian I cannot say for certain that birthdays are celebrated in heaven; for all I know they celebrate being born-again as birthdays. What I do know is that the Bible declares that in Heaven God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

 

Birthdays are indeed special days worth celebrating, however we should celebrate life. Parents should stand in awe and wonder of their children; don’t miss them growing up. Once they become adults, enjoy the fine men and women they’ve become; my three children bring me great joy.

 

Children should thank their parents for the love they’ve given unconditionally. Parents are not perfect; they make mistakes and we fail often. Nevertheless, be grateful that first of all your parents chose to keep you; over forty million babies in Heaven cannot say that. Most importantly, thank them for doing their best. Honor them with your love and respect.

 

Life is too short. I cherish every memory I have of Eddie; some bring smiles, some bring laughter, and at times, some bring great grief from missing him.

 

Most of all, the memories of Eddie bring gratitude; I am grateful that the Lord blessed me with the honor of being the father of a little boy who became a great man.

 

Happy Birthday Eddie!

 

Tributes to Eddie:

Frank Salvato's “The Death of a Soldier…The Life of a Patriot”

David Jeffers’ “Hope Rides Eternal”

The Right Balance’s “Our Tribute to the Memory of Sergeant Eddie Jeffers”

David Jeffers’ video “Tribute to Sergeant Jeffers”