We will never forget

Today is the 2nd anniversary of our son's death in Iraq. We must never forget the brave soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Nor should we forget there are many people in the world who would like to see our very way of life erased from this world. We must continue to protect this country and our allies.

Jeremiah will always be my hero. I miss him very much. I want to relate a story about us. He came home on Thanksgiving 2005 and told me he wanted to get a tattoo. The thing was, he wanted me to get it too. I had never even considered getting a tattoo before. He designed one and the next day we went to Magoo's in Grand Forks and got the job done. The tattoo is a chess piece-a knight- his favorite piece. on the base are the words "No Guts - No Glory" This is a phrase my mother used to say to us kids. I used to say it to Jeremiah and Alexander as a tool to push them when they had to do some task that they didn't want to do. It wasn't that big to me, just fun with the boys, but it made a big impression on Jeremiah and he wanted it included. I was very moved. Now I have a reminder that I'll never misplace and have with me every day.

here are a couple of announcements from that time:

DoD Identifies Army Casualty
June 17, 2006 The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Jeremiah S. Santos, 21, of Minot, N.D., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 15 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Santos was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

June 19, 2006 Hoeven Statement On The Death Of Spc. Jeremiah S. Santos In Iraq
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the death of Spc. Jeremiah S. Santos of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division of Fort Hood, Texas. Jeremy died in combat in Iraq on June 15:
“Mikey and I, and all North Dakotans, are deeply saddened by the death of Spc. Jeremiah Santos, who gave his life in the service of his country in Iraq. We extend our sympathy to his family and friends, and we will keep them in our prayers.
“Jeremiah’s warmth touched many people, especially at his church and school, and his love of country inspired pride in all who knew him. He was a son of North Dakota and a true American hero. We pledge never to forget his sacrifice or the sacrifice of his family in these difficult times.”

GrandForks Herald -- BISMARCK, N.D. - Spc. Jeremiah Santos got applause when he spoke to his church congregation this spring about his military service Iraq. On Sunday, church members in Devils Lake were mourning his death.
Santos, 21, who lived in Devils Lake and Minot, died in Baghdad on Thursday in a roadside bomb attack, Army officials said. A roadside bomb detonated near his Humvee during combat, the military said Saturday in a statement. The Rev. Bruce Dick, of the Bethel Evangelical Free Church, said Santos addressed the congregation in March, while home on leave from Iraq. "Jeremiah really loved serving his country, and told us he was proud of what he did - and he made no apologies for being there," Dick said. "He said he loved the people there." Dick said Santos' speech drew applause from the congregation of about 175 people. On Sunday, the mood had changed with the news of his death. "We shed a lot of tears," Dick said. Santos also had talked with a youth group at the church, while home on leave this spring. "Even our children are aware of who he is," Dick said. The war has brought a U.S. death toll of about 2,500. "Until now, the number 2,500 had just become a number to us but now we have a face and a name," Dick said. "It has touched us here and we will never look at that number the same." Dick described Santos as "self-confident, strong and very determined." Dick said Santos had turned his life around before joining the military. "Jeremiah had come through some tough times - he made some bad choices as a kid and had come out that," Dick said. "Everybody was proud of him." Santos left school and attended the Quentin Burdick Job Corps Center in Minot, Devils Lake Principal Ryan Hanson said. He earned a GED, and graduated in the facility maintenance program at the Job Corps Center in January 2004, officials there said. He also attended a semester of classes at Minot State University. "He was a great boy who became a very strong man," McGlone said. "He believed in what he was doing and had strong faith in God." Santos was assigned to the 2nd Battalion of 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division of Fort Hood, Texas, officials said. Laurie McGlone, Santos' mother, has been working as a temporary nurse in American Samoa. Patrick McGlone said she was notified there of her son's death. She was en route to the United States on Sunday, he said. Santos' father, Shannon Santos, lives in San Diego. Dick said a funeral was planned in San Diego, and a memorial service also was slated for Devils Lake, although details were not final, he said. Santos was the 13th U.S. service member with North Dakota ties who was reported killed while on duty in Iraq. Two other solders were killed this month in Afghanistan.

Take a minute out of your Father's Day, today, and remember my son with me. Thank You.