You should know

Today our nation has suffered the loss of a brave soldier.
A serviceman of the United States Air Force.  
But you won't read about him in your paper or see the story on t.v.  
So, I wanted you to know exactly who he was to me.  
Just a tall, skinny kid, only seventeen.  
Going off to basic in a couple of weeks.  
But he didn't make it.  
He would have though,  if he hadn't fell asleep and he hadn't found that tree,  
Only three miles from home.  
Returning from a night at his friend's,  
This young man died alone.  
I said that he was a soldier and although he had not yet been sent,  
It doesn't take away from his story  
or what his life meant.  
That kid fought through hell and uphill battles since the day of his birth.  
With a father in prison and a strung out mother, every day was a challenge to prove his value and worth.  
He stole food from the school just to feed his kid brother.  
He endured beatings and abuse at the hands of boyfriends of hers and even from his other brother.  
A soldier at heart, he battled through to the end.  
Always keeping good grades and didn't get in too much trouble.  
No more than any kid his age.  
Because he wanted to fight his way out.  
Out of the poverty and the pain.  
Wanted to work for the chance of a good education.  
He wanted to prove himself by serving  just for a sense of validation.  
And he DID prove that he was better than his raising.  
But he won't receive any medals or certificates of recognition.  
Because today was the day that the trumpet trilled for him.  
Today was the day his journey came to an end.  
So I wanted you to know just who you lost.  
A boy and a man wanting and willing to run facing death and the grave.  
A soldier of the world who would have died to protect and to save    
the way of life you enjoy  
without ever knowing you  
or seeing your face.  
But now you do know.  
Yes, you know Logan now  
That he lived and he breathed and he died,  
Before he even really got out, to have his own life.  
And so, my request, please pray for his mother.  
Even if you think she's undeserving.  
This is the third child she's had to bury and no one can know how much she's hurting.  
I hope today you will think of the ones you hold dear.  
Hug them a little closer and tell them that's there's nothing to fear.  
Thanks to the brave men and women who give everything and ask for nothing.  
And then think of my dear nephew as I try to honor him as he deserves.  
A sweet, tall, skinny kid who will never have his chance to serve.  
 
Oh my dear God, you know  
how I love you.  
But it ain't fair and it ain't right,  
that you took him so soon  
and extinguished his light.  
So now at last,  
I plead from my heart deep within  
will you please shower him in love  
and forgive me this sin.  
Of questioning the things
that I cannot comprehend.