Joshua graduated High School - you were there with him and this photos provides it....He was the top one out of three to get their high school dipolmas....he has turned out to be such a good looking man and make something of himself and take his place in this world....Rod, you would be so proud of him....

Hi son,


My heart aches and each day a struggle. I cry still all the time. My heart aches and I so desperately want to talk to you again, to have another hug, to see you again. 


I wonder how you are doing? Are you happy? Are you seeing us? I need a sign to know your okay.


You will be "Forever 23" and that hurts...so much has been taken away from us....Joshua will be graduating soon and his life, his journey starts and I am so afraid...He doesnt understand my fear, my pain, my sadness, my loneliness, my anger...I try to hide it from him....I have to be strong for him yet he has no idea what I am really going thru and the same for him - he has closed up and keeps things to himself.  I'm so alone.....I hurt...this darkness inside of me, is like no other darkness I ever felt..its like I have lost all "get and go"....I have no energy to do anything.... I find myself angry all the time....looking for evil in people and I hate that feeling - I hate it....I want to smile again, to be happy, to feel love - to have friends.......


Your Army buddies are wonderful....they keep in touch. They miss you too.  I made dog tags up in your honor.    


I love you son and I am sorry this happened to you. You didnt deserve this.


Just know, Im here for you so please give me a sign you are here for me and Joshua.....we need it hun.

I-4-3  Always

Mom                 

Rod arrive from Iraq....the happiest day of our lives....As the bus round the corner, the crowd cheered on the soldiers - waiting for their long over due return from Iraq...The buses pulled up behind the field and trees.  All we could see was their feet  running around and getting into formation. 


As the sunset, we heard Soldiers come forward and it felt like the calavry had arrived and we knew, we were save and nothing could hurt us.


It was hard to hold back the tears as the soldiers approached us.  As the national athem played, Joshua stepped fowarded and saluated. which made the headlines n KY....it said, "Joshua waits for DAD to return."  We left it because Rod was like his day. 


Ceremony continues and we heard - soldiers find your family and Joshua took off running to find his brother.  I walked up to see the photos above....My son was home from war....My son was alive and well.  Yet, so many soliders did not make it home and this platoon kneeled down to honor those fallen.


This was the first time, I was saw my son smiling - really smiling....we were reunited again as a family.


The best day of my life!!!  I was so proud of both Rod and Joshua - God couldnt havent been so gracious to allow me the chance to have such wonderful boys.....


                  

Hi Rod,

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and my thoughts are with you and Joshua.  I miss you more than you know and I wish the tears would stop. I was doing fine today until someone said, "My prayers are with you".  My heart aches with each passing day knowing you are not here with us.

We never know what we have until its gone....I wish for one more phone call, one more text, one more "Hi Mom, I love you" and one more "Happy Mothers Day". Just one more word, hug, phone call, text, email and the list goes on and on...

I wish for one more "hug"....I miss your touch, your laughter, your smile and I miss YOU!!

I know, you are looking down on us and you are with us but to have that one more would be nice....I long for it....I ask God every night to give me the comfort we need to keep going, to make it, to know it will be all Okay.

I keep myself busy and Joshua is too....we just dont want to believe that this is so real.....We long for you to be here with us....I've even ask  God "WHY" - I know, he had a plan but "WHY  ME" - "WHY NOW"...."WHY US"..... "WHY, DID THIS  HAVE TO HAPPEN?" 

I will be okay....you know, your ole mom will be okay - its just getting there that is the hardest.

Its raining today, so looking for my rainbow.....Joshua said, your coming to him...everytime, he goes outside a lady bug comes on his shoulder....never thought of you as a 'lady bug' but hey, they are beautiful and bring good luck and you are beautiful.

I remember the day you were born; your red hair, your smile and how you changed my life...you changed my life!!!! I am so thankful to have you as my son....as Joshua's Brother....

I miss you and love you so much.....Thank you for being my SON!!!


Mom!!!                    

Hi Rod,

It's raining today, "Where is my Rainbow"....need to see you today...to know, you are near....I know, the rain symbolize all the "Angels" in Heaven crying for they miss their love one...but show us the Rainbow.....So, our hearts can smile knowing you are here, right now, at this moment!!


I love you with all my heart....life isnt the same without you....I cry harder today, then the day you left us....I haven't had time to grieve, I wish I could....my heart and body is so empty...I look at your photos and I see what you were becoming and  I want so bad to hold you, to call you, to hear your voice one more time...Its funny, we never know what we have until its gone...

I ran across our last text....I told you "I loved you and you meant the world to me" and your response was "I love you too and you just dont know how much you mean to me"...and that was the last text....I never got to talk to you, hear your voice....someone took that all away from me....she took it all away from us.....


They say, in time, the hurt will ease up....will it....I just want to grieve and know "justice' was served and right now...its an uphill battle and it more than I can take at times....I know, people are tired of hearing me say, "help me" but its going to take an Army of Soldiers to get this accomplished.....Like the day, you came home from Iraq, when you guys came out from behind the trees - it felt like the calavry had arrived and we were going to be okay....we were safe now...I remember, that moment as if it was yesterday and how they published you and Joshua in the paper and said, "Joshua waits for Dad to arrive"....you were like his dad, his big brother, his mentor, his hero...he misses you so much...Trying so hard to be like you....to walk in your shoes...but remind  him, its okay to hurt, to cry, to break down and to feel this pain but it will get easiers as times goes on....but he needs to be Joshua and show his Big Brother that he is proud of his little brother....be his own person....and show this world that "I am here to stay" and help fight with me to get justice.....

I love and miss your dearly....you are my Hero, my, SON, my little boy that I forever will mourn the day to hold you again...to see you...save a place in heaven for me....tell the rest of the family "hello" for me...

Take care of yourself....stay warm ok....I love and miss you more and more with each passing day....I love you....always remember 1-4-3.....Mom             

Hi Son,


Its 4am and I am thinking of you; my heart aches for you to be here with us. Know, i am still fighting for justice and what a fight it is. Our justice system is not what is suppose to be but I intend on making a statement and making changes. Nothing worse than a mothers cries and screams.


We are doing okay. Joshua is coming here and we will fulfill one of your dreams - we will stand in front of Mr. Lincoln and take that family photo you wanted.  I can't out you on his lap but I can stand you next to him. I am so sorry, we didnt get to it but will make it happen. I can't for Joshua to be here; he is growing up so fast and trying to take on life a little too fast. He has always been the one to step up to the plate and take on things. 


We will be home to celebrate New Years with YOU.  I will bring the fireworks. I so wish you were here. Your photos give me somene to talk too as I can look into your eyes and get some comfort. Your Army bubbies have been a real help -  they even call me 'mamma'. I hurt so much and doing the best - as they say, I am 'faking it until I make it' but days gets hard you know....


Not a whole lot has been going on lately. Gmaw is doing well. Jerry has killed a couple of deers; he finally figured out what they looked like and could pick them out - you know, his color blindness was a problem; the deer blended in with the trees so he couldn't tell the brown deer from the brown tree LOL.  Judy contacts us from time to time and James is doing as well as expected; his back gives him fits. David's daughter got married and is very happy. Anna is doing well too.  

How is Papa, Dennis, Daddy and Uncles Charles?  Oh, lets not forget Jadd - is he okay. Playing ball with him I bet. How is heaven? Is it as beautiful as they say it is?  Please, give me a sign your here with me? Give me comfort!! 


I guess, I better close for now. I dont want too but need to continue this fight for justice. A lot to do. I love you Rod and miss you something aweful. Watch over us OK.  Guide us and show us, YOU ARE HERE. I feel, I am forgetting and then again, I can't remember what I want to remember. I know, the peace will come and I have to believe but for now; I'm hanging on to what I can hang on to.

Always remember 143 - 143.....Hugs and kisses MOM.....Sweet dreams little one....I am so proud of what you have accomplished and become - just wish, we could have continued.  Sweet dreams my love!!!                   

Rod's at Drill Sargearant School, Columbia SC - Oct 2012 - Jan 1, 2013. 

If you know any of the these men and woman - please let us know the names...


We had to laugh - look at Rod's hands - he was holding his belt buckle but it didnt look like that....silly boy    

I am hoping someone can share the meaning behind this coin....given to us during the Memorial Service

Uncle Jerry, Anna and Tara and their kids...all missing you Rod

 1-4-3 Always and Forever.....know, your in my heart and prayers - Never a moment that goes by, I am not thinking of you.....Miss you something aweful.....You were and are my gift from GOD.....

Hey Rod,

Wanted to share some of Joshua's photos of Joshua working on the truck you got him....have to say, we had some issues with it but we are getting there.  Hopefully, be out of the shop Friday so he can start making it, his man truck....you guys and speakers!!!  He gets frustrated at me because I do not know what he is taking about so while he is sleeping bop him on the head for me!!  

I was so proud of you for trying to get this truck for him; just so sorry you couldn't give to him personally but know - you were there in spirit and will always be there for him - in his dreams, thoughts, prayers and his heart. 

He misses you so much and know, he loves you alway.  Watch over him and keep him safe. 

Love Mom     

I miss my bro more and more everyday and everytime I see something he had done makes me feel so alone and I'm just glad I can say he is my brother! — with Rod Day.

SSG Roderick Michael Day, 23, of Columbia, South Carolina, died Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at his residence. He was born in Naples, Italy, and  lived on a naval base with legal residency in Crossett, AR. He was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army, and was of the Baptist faith. He was a graduate of Crossett High School class of 2006.   

SSG Day loved his family, especially spending time with his younger brother Josh. He was an avid outdoorsman; he loved to fish,  hunt and play soccer. SSG Day loved the Army. He was a member of the following units: Co B 1-327th , 101st Airborne Div (Screaming Eagles)  & HQ CO A 3/60 Inf. He received the following badges during his service to our country: Drill SGT, Combat Infantry, Expert Infantry & Air Assault. Sgt. Day was a recipient of the following awards: Purple Heart Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Nato Medal Army Service and Overseas Ribbons.    

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, John William Day; maternal step-grandfather, Roderick Battenfeld Nuckolls, and Uncle John Dennis Day.   

He leaves to cherish his loving memories: his mother, Elizabeth "Susie" Day of Falls Church, VA, his wife Courtney Day, his brother, Joshua Day, his maternal grandmother, Sue Nuckolls, his uncle Jerry Day all of Crossett; three uncles: James Day, wife Peggy of Bastrop, LA, Thomas Day of Panama City, FL, David Day, wife Nancy of Saraland, AL, his aunt, Judy Langley of Monticello, AR, and a host of nieces, nephews other relatives, friends and loved ones.   

Funeral services are Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 11:00 am at First Freewill Baptist Church, 1301 Mimosa Street in North Crossett with Bro. Gene Cullem, Bro. Brian Ray & Bro. Chris Sexton, officiating. Full military honors at the Crossroads Cemetery. Arrangements by Cromwell Funeral Home, Inc of Hamburg, AR. www.cromwellfuneralhome.net.   

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 9, 2013 from 6-8 pm at Cromwell Funeral Home.   

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials are made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO BOX 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

I do not know who took this photo but its shows you who my son was - Strong, Loyal, a true Patriot and Hero.....Look in his eyes and see his life and how happy he was to be a US Soldier!!! 

This is one of the last photos of Rod......so handsome and so proud of him.... 

I do not know how one person can bring so much joy - then you did the day, you were born....when they announced it was a boy and you had red hair...the only, grandchild with red hair.....I couldnt have been more happier...


Your blue eyes were full of life, newest and joy....and when you smiled, it lite up the world....GOD truly blessed me that day,


It was You and Me against the world and we traveled the world, didn't we....we lived in Naples and survived the volcanos....then the earthquakes in San Diego, CA....then the typhoon in Guam....alvalences in Iceland......an F5 Tornado in Oklahoma....and many plane rides where we visited Germany, Spain and Azores.....but we saw the world.....the military was good to us - wasnt it baby....


You were so shy and indepedent; took after your mom on this one....but you had adventerous side and when it came out  you were adventerous.....

You  never cried much except when you were tired and wanted to sleep; Joshua took after you on this one.....


I am so grateful to have you in my life....to be this little red headed little boy that I can call MY SON...

I love you Son.....my little red head......