Blue Star Dad, David Borg, sends this note about his son's friend and former co-pilot, Captain Joshua Meadows who was killed in Afghanistan. I have not been able to find any details released yet. Sunday I received a sad call from our son, Captain Mark Borg, USMC pilot. Mark's Huey co-pilot from his 2008 Mid-East deployment, Captain Joshua Meadows was killed Saturday in Afghanistan. Mark did not have any details on Joshua's death, stating only he received the call from another Huey pilot and squad member, currently in Okinawa, who relayed the message. Mark asked that we pray for Joshua's parents, family and extended family, and especially for his wife Angela, who is soon expecting their first child. Josh was a Christian believer and he is now in a better place, but this is still very difficult for family, crew members and other pilots who worked daily with Josh. I had the privilege of meeting Josh aboard the U.S.S. Peleliu last October, as their ship returned home from Pearl Harbor on the last leg of their MidEast deployment. I remember numerous times eating and talking together at the same table in the officer's dining room; sitting with Mark and Josh during flight briefs, discussing with both all the panel instruments, and other intricate features and weapons aboard their Huey aircraft. I remember seeing Josh in attendance at a Church service as we listened to the speaker discuss the joys and challenges the soldiers would face as they returned from a long deployment. I remember the guys joking around with Josh about the featured game on military satellite TV aboard ship that weekend, Texas vs Texas Tech, and then as he was so excited during and after the game as his former school (Texas Tech) won. One very special memory is when I was able to accompany Mark and Josh, along with their commanding Marine officers to the Captain's bridge, as one of their crew members received a Marine award from the ship's captain. Josh and Mark were so excited and proud their crewmember was honored. I have attached a picture of Josh, standing to the left of the ship's navigator, and Mark during this ceremony. Another picture attached is now even more special - taken when Mark and Josh became airborne and flew their Huey together for the last time as they returned to Camp Pendleton for a joyous (they were so excited) homecoming with their wives on base. After Mark's call last night, I did not sleep well, for sad news like Josh's death is the reality that military families may face. I am humbled and honored to have seen first hand how these young men and women go about their daily tasks so willing and unselfishly with such precision and class, all in the "Name of Freedom." They are America's true heroes. "Remember their Sacrifice," for they sacrifice so much. May God honor the extreme sacrifice Captain Joshua Meadows gave for his country. And may God's gracious love and comfort be near to Joshua's family during these difficult days. David Borg
Read the complete post at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Blackfive/~3/BalIij5vIyo/godspeed-captain-joshua-meadows.html
Posted
Sep 08 2009, 01:50 AM
by
BLACKFIVE