This is a Soldier.

I played this in church today in memory of J.P. and in honor of his family and friends. 

Including you. He is our son too. 

This is what my Facebook status said today:

Kyle is at a memorial weekend for his friend and comrade, J.P. Fitzsimmons who died in Afghanistan last year. They were in the same U.S. Navy Helicopter Squadron. J.P. was a new husband, son, and friend to many. This beautiful rendition of Waltzing Matilda reminds me how important it is to remember the humanity and innocence of young soldiers and the truth about war.

I'm struck by the countless young men willing to risk everything for something they don't truly understand. They only know it to be a noble cause. They sacrifice their lives for an ideal. They want to make a difference and live a sense of purpose. We honor and remember them and their families because they gave us themselves, no holds barred. It doesn't matter if we are for or against the war, or politically polarized. In the end, it's these young men and women, and their families, who stretched to the end of themselves for something they thought was right. Whether we agree or not, we thank them because they were willing to die for us. There is no getting around that.

Thank you J.P. You are my son too.

Take a listen - profoundly beautiful and moving.