Andrew Bryan Cross
4.11.1983 - 6.19.2009

I just recently got back from North Carolina, for Andy's funeral. I have so many emotions running through my head right now. I am so sad for his family. The anguish that I have seen my Aunt and Uncle go through burying their son is just gut wrenching.

I am also so absolutely amazed by the hospitality that I encountered while being there. For 5 days, there was always a hot meal ready for all of us. The friends and neighbors will never know how much their love has touched our family during this time. I'm talking hot meals at dinner everyday, and various goodies throughout the day- I was always speechless when the next shifty of well wishers came through.

Respect for the Military- I tell you the reverence that a military town has for their soldiers is just unreal. During the procession to the cemetery, people were just stopped in the middle of the road, in love and respect for a fallen solider. No one was eager to get around the next person, or irritated that they had to sit and wait, well not that they had to, but they did.

I am so thankful for people who are not afraid to speak the truth in a hard time. I have been hesitant in giving any details of my cousins death because it is a delicate situation. My cousin died from an accidental overdose. They are still not sure of what kind of an overdose it was. Andrew suffered from PT SD (post traumatic stress disorder). He has faithfully served in our military for 8 years. I have said before how much I appreciate our military and how they truly give their lives for our country, and unfortunately this was one of those cases, where even though his life was not taken in war, but it was in another war- the war that goes on in a soldiers head after the return home. A couple of years ago while serving in Iraq, Andy's best friend, one who he'd grown up with and somehow made it through boot camp with, and somehow got to be fighting right next to each other, was killed in the line of fire. Andy was never the same after that. We were able to get a glimpse into his head and how he was feeling. The torment that he went through on an everyday basis just breaks my heart. Please do not get me wrong, I am not justifying his actions, but it just gave me a glimpse of what he was living with. The funeral started with a few military persons, and presenting of medals. After all the military stuff and a few friends sharing memories the pastor stood up and really just gave a message of hope. He upset a few people, so I hear, but honestly it was straight forward and to the point of not drowning your sorrows and hurts into frivolous things, but the only way to fill that void is with the Lord. He spoke with great compassion and empathy, as he had lost his brother when he was a teenager because his brother chose to drive drunk and got into a fatal accident. He felt the anger towards God, that many that day were feeling, he felt the pain and the emptiness, but he just laid it all out there that it's not the way. I so appreciated that. I will continue to be praying for the seeds that were planted that day.


Please continue to pray for my family. I know it will get easier for them as the days go on, I saw that, but they are still all so broken hearted.

Our debt to the Heroic men and Valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices
(President Harry S. Truman)