With Deepest Sympathy

To the Editor:

I am forwarding this email to you with the hope that you will either publish it or share it directly with the Buesing family.

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Buesing;

"If not here, where? If not now, when? If not me, who?"

I do not know where I read this quote but it has stuck with me and I have thought of it often in recent weeks. I feel certain guilt for it does not apply to me. However, it does apply to your son Brian and for that I am eternally grateful.

He was engaged in a noble task that stands equal with Gettysburg and Normandy in terms of the lasting impact it will have for centuries to come. You should feel immense pride for his part at this seminal moment in time.

Because of his willingness to fight this war now, my six year-old son may be spared similar danger in the future. I am so grateful to Brian for this. I know someone else who would be grateful as well, my friend Mike who died in the World Trade Center on 9/11. He left behind a wife and 3 kids. So for Mike...thank you.

I cannot begin to know your pain. As parents you have made the ultimate sacrifice and I pray for your son and that God provide you strength and fortitude.

I have made a donation in Brian`s name to Operation Uplink so that other servicemen might keep in touch with their families.

RFB
Napa, California