SPC Charles Odums II

Last night, I put together a scrapbook of articles.  Clip outs of newspaper stories about the untimely death of SPC Odums.  Odie to his brothers.  He lost his life on River Road in South Baghdad, Sunday 30MAY10 Memorial Day weekend.  While a holiday for all Americans, grief and sadness for Charles Sr. and Anne.  Odie's parents.  He was killed instantly by the IED blast.  My two brothers in the up armored vehicle were severely wounded.  SFC Karl Pasco would return to duty, return to Iraq and yes, earn a 2nd purple heart.  SFC Pasco spoke at our Victory 400 launch at Auden't Kitchen a few months back.  Karl will also run with me into Fort Hood on Tuesday.  Sunday my body will start breaking down.  Monday, the pain will be evident and on Tuesday....I will love life.  Like everyday.  The beautiful blue sky.  The fresh smell of freedom.  Surrounded by great, great, great Americans.  When I see people in bad moods, hear ugly words come out of their mouths, or encounter disengenious folks......well....I wonder......did their loved one come home in a box?  Did their loved one lose their life on foreign soil?  What would Anne and Charles Sr. give if they could hold their son one more time, just one more time and tell him how much they loved him, how proud of they are of him.  Negative.  No such chance.  Their son, my Soldier, my brother gave all so I can live.  Body breaking down, pain on Tuesday....whatever.  His family feels it everyday.  Just like Odie use to say "That's how we roll sir".  Well, I'm rolling Odie.  Rolling for you.