The cost of war

One of Karnes County’s own gave all last week.

Mitchel Mutz, a member of the Falls City High School Class of 2001, died while serving his country in Iraq.

I heard the news on Thursday, and I was filled with an immediate and deep sense of sadness. Sadness, for the loss of one of our finest and bravest young men.

There are many from Karnes County who are serving overseas and I had hoped that fighting might end before Karnes County lost one of our own. Those hopes vanished last Thursday when I heard the news that a roadside bomb had taken the life of Army Spc. Mitchel T. Mutz.

We have all felt the loss of other American military personnel engaged in this war.

To date, 2,867 have died while serving in Iraq since March, 2003.

That’s a whole lot of pain and a whole lot of anguish for many American families, their friends and their neighbors. As Americans we have shared in that terrible sense of loss.

We always feel the loss when any American dies in service to country, but we certainly feel it more when it happens this close to home.

When I heard the news – tears filled my eyes as I remembered Mitchel dribbling a basketball down the court inside the Falls City High School gym. I would stand on the edge of the court, taking pictures for the newspaper. That was such a short time ago.

As I took pictures, Mitchel’s family, friends and neighbors cheered him on as he carried the ball for the Beavers.

We’re still cheering for Mitchel.

He carried the ball for all of us.

He knew the risks were high, but he wanted to join the Army to do what needs to be done for our country.

Young men such as Mitchel put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of the rest of us and as long as I live I will be in awe of those who bravely serve this country at great risk to their own personal safety, comfort and well-being.

Our prayers and thoughts go out to Mitchel’s family, as they are feeling this loss more deeply than I could ever imagine. We ask God to lift them up and carry them through this time.

I held my son and daughter a little tighter than usual on Sunday. I could not help but think that there might come a day when my own children are called to war.

I hope that day never comes, but I think it’s important to remember that through many generations, the freedom and quality of life that all Americans enjoy is constantly paid for through the sacrifices of those such as Mitchel Mutz.

Thank you, Mitchel, for your service to our country.

God bless you.