He Ain't Heavy; He's My Brother
This entry was posted on April 6, 2007 8:53 AM and is filed under Family and The Troops.
Last week I received a phone call from my friend Ryan Jazak. Ryan lives in the Milwaukee area; he's married and has a brand new baby son Eric Vincent Jazak. His son is named after his kid-brother, Eric Jazak, USMC. Ryan called to inform me that his brother Eric was flying in to Chicago's Midway Airport from Camp Pendleton and that Ryan, his Mom and Dad were driving to Chicago to pick him up. Ryan said that Eric surprised them and that Eric would be home, in Milwaukee, for about a week before he will be deployed to Iraq for his second tour of duty. Ryan asked if I'd like to meet them for a drink.
Can you imagine the honor I felt, being asked to be part of this great family reunion? Honestly, I was tired and beat. I had my daughters coming over for dinner to celebrate my Jenny's 19th birthday and I knew that as soon as the "birthday party" was over, I was gonna hit the sack, but Ryan's call sent a surge of energy through my body. I remember being asked to drive up to Milwaukee a few days before Christmas to meet Eric for the first time upon his return from Iraq. That lunch lasted over 5-hours!
Ryan said that Eric's flight was scheduled to land at about 9:00 PM, so I made some calls and although I hoped to treat them to Chicago's best deep-dish pizza (Geno's East closed at 10:00 PM) I settled for the only place open until 11:00 PM in the area; a Chilli's Restaurant in Rolling Meadows, IL.
At about 10:15; Ryan, Eric and their Mom and Dad greeted me with hugs and kisses. It's always great to be with the Jazak's. Eric looked great and ready to defend freedom once again, and Ryan, Mom and Dad look relieved to have their baby home. (I don't care if Eric is a tried and true, battle-tested and decorated Marine, he's still their baby!) The people at Chilli's understood exactly what was going on and let us alone for as long as we wanted to stay. Hell, ... the waitress informed us that her Army-boyfriend just got home from Afghanistan 5-days ago.
The great thing about the being part of this very special night was watching and listening. It was the Jazak's "love" for each other that touched me the most. A mother, a father, and an older brother embracing the youngest child. I get a tickle in my heart and I fight back a tear, when ever I see Ryan raise his glass to his kid-brother and toast; "You're my hero!" I'm sure the toast would be longer, but that's about all Ryan can get out before he chokes-up and tears well-up in his eyes. Actually, that's all that needs to be said, .. the straining voice and watery eyes speak volumes.
With another 90-minute ride ahead of them, our reunion broke up a little after midnight.
Yesterday I received a call from Ryan, ... he called to inform me that he just dropped Eric off at the airport and he needed someone to talk to. Again, I was honored to be at the other end of this conversation. Ryan, like everyone who knows Eric and knows what Eric has already been through and seen in Iraq, is scared to death and prays for his brother's safe return. All I could do was listen, support, and try and get a laugh out of Ryan. I let him know that we will all make sure that Eric gets so many "care packages" through support groups like Pat and Mac McCoy's Yellow Ribbon Support Group, (visit the Yellow Ribbon Support Group's website on the "Links" page of this website) that he'll come home early because of the cavity's he'll have from all the hard-candy they send him. That made him laugh, ... but at the end of our conversation, I could hear the same choked-up voice coming out of Ryan that I hear when he makes a toast to the younger brother that he loves so much.
Ryan sent me the following email and I want to share it with everyone.
Ryan writes;
Well,
I just wanted to write to you all and let you know that we just dropped my brother off in Chicago for his flight back to California. He came home on short notice to visit with us before he leaves for Iraq. He is scheduled to leave next Tuesday the 9th. Once again I ask you all to please keep him in your prayers along with everyone who sacrifices so much to keep us free. Many men and women overseas, and here on the homefront, sacrifice so much more than we can possibly fathom for this country. Please say a prayer for all of them this Easter weekend.
It was very difficult watching Eric walk away as he left for his plane. We have gone though it many times before, but he was usually heading back to his home in Virginia. This time he is heading to war, and although I am behind him 100%, it still scares the shit out of me. I will have his new address and email address in about a week and I will let Joe know how you can all get in touch with him.
God Bless to all.
Ryan Jazak.
The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother.
So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother.
If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another.
It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother.
He's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother.
Comments
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April 6, 2007 7:00 PM
Lisa wrote:
Thanks for sharing this story about the special time you spent with the Jazak family. How many could relate to what it's like to make those memories, see a loved one off and then share the joy of a homecoming.
Being a volunteer in Pat and Mac's Yellow Ribbon Support group has been a tangible way for me to say thanks to the troops and get to know some wonderful military families. The McCoys have put their hearts and souls, not to mention countless hours into supporting America's Defenders with care packages. These, along with letters of appreciation, cards and words of encouragement will likely make Eric's time in Iraq more bearable.
You are a good friend. Keep us posted on how we can support Eric and others you know who are serving us overseas.
Reply to this -
April 7, 2007 6:17 PM
Ryan Jazak wrote:
Thanks for the kind words Joe. Our family has been so fortunate to have friends and family like you who put aside their daily lives and come to wish Eric the best and pray for his safe return. I have received lots of emails from people who want to send Eric and his Marines letters and care packages. It is such a great feeling hearing the support from them all. I know that it gives my brother the added incentive to fight for the Stars and Stripes.
Eric, as do all Marines, exemplifies the code of the Corps, and lives up to their slogan, "Semper Fidelis" ... ALWAYS FAITHFUL. This will be another nervous summer for our family. Eric often tells me that he feels it is sometimes harder on the families of our deployed, than it is on them. I know that in the emotional sense, he may be right. But when it comes down to a firefight for your life, there is no comparison. Those heroes overseas are the best in the world, and this country needs to get past it's political bickering and show them the support they all need. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.
Now, I am going to go off on a little rant. I want to ask the average civilian what he/she has been asked to sacrifice for this war? The answer is nothing. A lot of American families have sacrificed a son or daughter, mother or father, or a brother or sister for this cause. And to them, I am thankful for their sacrifice. I owe my freedoms to your lost loved one. And I am honored that they gave their lives for me and my country. But the average Joe in middle America, who has given up nothing in his everyday life, stands and protests like a child who doesn't get his lollipop. During WWII, Americans were asked to sacrifice many things from their daily lives, and asked to financially support the war by purchasing war bonds to help win the war, and they did, because they stood behind the men who were in the trenches fighting for America. Thats all our men and women overseas are asking of you now, is your support. That's it, nothing else, just your ability to stand behind them and win the fight. It's a small price to pay for your freedom.
If anyone is going to respond to me on this, please save the excuses like "Bush lied to us," "September 11th was a government conspiracy," and that "this war is unjustified." Those things don't hold water with me. Your senator or congressman had the same intelligence as the rest of them. Now that it seems to be politically correct (and I use those words loosely) to oppose this war, many have jumped the fence. What makes you more proud to be an American, a leader who won't back down to political pressure and stands by his values, or one who will tell you whatever you want to hear to get more votes? After September 11th, America was as one, now we stand as two, who do you think the terrorists of the world are watching?
The last thing my brother said before he got on the plane was "IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME, YOU KNOW WHERE I STAND" I do, and I stand right behind you brother, you are my hero and I love you.
May God be with you!
Reply to this -
April 8, 2007 8:11 AM
Ryan Jazak wrote:
Hey Joe,
I ran out of room yesterday on my last comment. I just wanted to thank you for all of your moral support on the phone the other day. Sorry I was blubbering like a baby at the end of our conversation, but I know you understand. I know that I can count on you for support throughout this difficult time. You have given so much to so many people that you don't even know. Patriotism isn't about flying an American Flag in your yard, it's what you do in your everyday life that brings out the patriot in all of us. You are a role model for all Americans. I want to ask you to keep posting emails and addresses for our brave warriors overseas, so the rest of us, like me, are able to reach out to these great Americans and show our support.
Thanks for everything.
Happy Easter my friend.
Love ya,
Ryan
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April 8, 2007 9:26 AM
Joe Cantafio wrote:
Ryan,
Don't ever feel weird about showing your emotions to me. I completely understand where you are coming from. As far as I'm concerned, it's my honor to know you, Eric and your family.
As far as me being a roll model, thanks for the compliment but I play the guitar and sing, ... I have a big mouth and I speak my mind. That's about it. Eric stepped up along with Derek VanNatta, Michael Forras, and Brave Warrior's like Cory Palmer, Phil Frank and Ryan Cantafio who paid the ultimate price for our freedom, ... those men are role models.
Happy Easter!
Love you too brother,
Joe
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