This hospital is an important concern to many, for numerous reasons, and its future remains uncertain. Like so many things, life seems to be moving ever so fast. Things change, priorities evolve, and when we rest our heads each night, how many of us thank the man above for what we do have?
One of the wonderful things about a small community like Westwood is its human breath. As a resident you may not personally know all your neighbors but yet you become connected, and part of a family, simply by living here. We saw that this past week as many of us reflected on a member of our community who returned from Afghanistan in a position of eternal sleep. He was laid to rest Saturday, a hero, but his wounds will linger in those he left behind. The community will grieve as a whole because a hero’s death knows no barriers in touching a heart.
This man was a volunteer fireman with a courageous spirit that put his life on the line for us as neighbors and a community and then for his country. Our debt to him is to remember, not for a week, a month or simply on Memorial day, but each time we see our flag. The next time you lay your head to rest, offer a pray of thanks for his, and his family’s, sacrifice; and remember all that you have begins with freedom and a soldier who stood tall, brave and true.
Sergeant, soldier, hero.
He chose honor, courage, and commitment.
He died for what he believed.His family’s love and pride.
Their hearts torn with grief.
He died and with him, part of them.His wife’s love and future
A husband, a family lost
He died and with him, his comforting embrace.Each soldier is a mother’s child.
Every family community has them
He died a patriot for OUR freedom and security.We mourn a lost
A son, a husband, a volunteer, a neighbor
He died a hero, like too many, and earned our tribute
to be remembered and never forgotten.
Information articles:
Sgt. Hrbek-Military City
Sgt. Hrbek-Westwood Firefighter
Sgt. Hrbek-Community Mourns
Sgt. Hrbek-Slain Hero
Sgt. Hrbek-Hundreds bid final farewell
Sgt. Hrbek-Record: Thank you, Sergeant
Sgt. Hrbek-Additional Photos
Sgt. Hrbek-YouTube of Parade
Amen. May his sacrifice for us always be remembered.
Comment by Dirk — January 25, 2010 @ 4:48 PM
Thursday’s parade was very moving and sad. Our hearts go out to the parents and our prayers for their son.
Comment by Slip41 — January 25, 2010 @ 7:47 PM
He was a man who apparently thrived on adrenalin. A firefighter, a soldier, he must of been an interesting guy. I feel sorry for his family’s loss.
Comment by Champ — January 26, 2010 @ 10:27 AM
Remarkable! We see it almost every week a solder in the news coming home to their town. Yet it’s just another solder until its one from our own community. We should feel the same passion and hurt with each soldier. So many die because fanatics prefer a fantasy of virgins instead of life and then we apologize for being aggressive in protecting our America. God bless our soldiers and Sgt. Hrbek.
Comment by Vet85 — January 26, 2010 @ 12:59 PM
Must of been great guy, great loss.
Sympathies to wife and parents.
Comment by OldLion — January 26, 2010 @ 3:48 PM