Being, Becoming, and Other Reflections of Life on Earth

Reflection On Christopher Gathercole's Obituary from 2008 Obituary written by Terrence V. Photo left to right: Joel R, Terrence V, Christopher Gathercole.     Photo left to right: Joel R, Terrence V, Christopher Gathercole. Obituary        GATHERCOLE, Christopher - Born October 16, 1986, Died May 26, 2008, during combat operations while serving his country in Afghanistan. Loving little boy, precocious teen, strong warrior. He gave what he could, but left us wanting so much more. Chris came into the world with a wonderful smile. It defined his being and captured anyone's heart who ever met him. He and his brother Edward were the inseparable pair. Quick to laugh, oblivious to harm, and always looking for mischief. Those early years became difficult and Chris entered the Sonoma County foster care system. Because of many different circumstances, Chris was eventually separated from his brother Edward, and he ended up residing in several different foster placemen...

Two Yemeni Nationals Charged with Conspiring to Murder United States Nationals Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda Christopher's Memorial FaceBook Page Listen to this post on YouTube here:  The Conspiracy That Killed Christopher Gathercole A rare update in the GWOT from 2015 directly related to my brother but not widely reported on was the capture of enemy combatants that escaped the raid on May 2008. The saga of this trips me out and could be made into a movie with as much drama and action yet to be seen. I was notified by Leroy P. as well as an FBI agent and friend Dave O. that worked with my brother and was a part of the arrests. Here’s links to what I know (below), and don’t know much else. Both Leroy and my friend with the FBI confirmed the ranger mentioned was Christopher Gathercole and wanted to notify me/family in case the press/media opened floodgates, that didn’t happen.  R.I.P. Christopher 'Gator' Gathercole, Memorial Day May 26th, 2008  4 Ea...

  A BRIDGE BETWEEN CHAOS AND ADULTHOOD By CHRIS COURSEY  February 28, 2005  Publication:  Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA)  Page:  B1  Word Count:  669 In his 19 years, Eddie has lived with his mom, he's lived with his dad, he's lived in foster homes, he's lived in shelters, he's lived in mental facilities, he's lived in group homes, he's walked the streets and he's slept on friends' couches and floors. But, as far back as he can remember, he's never lived anywhere for a whole year and a half. ``That's why I'm so excited,'' says Eddie, whose full name is Edward Gathercole. ``I'm not going to have to spend every day planning where I'm going to sleep.'' Eddie is the first occupant of a new Santa Rosa residential facility designed to help former foster children find their way into adulthood. The former nursing home on Yulupa Avenue, due to open in the next several weeks, will provide transitional housing for up to 18 ...

Medal of Honor Ceremony for Master Sergeant Leroy Petry  White House Video 2011 White House Footage. About 10 minutes in The POTUS Obama honors Christopher "Gator" Gathercole and his ultimate sacrifice.  The Pentagon Channel produced this Profile of Valor on Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry.  Profile of Valor mentioning Christopher Gathercole Thank You, Leroy, for making this happen and having that conversation with The POTUS prior to being awarded your medal. RLTW! On this date in Ranger History: July 12, 2011 Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry is awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry for his courageous actions during combat operations against an armed enemy in Paktya Province, Afghanistan May 26, 2008. The Citation: Staff Sergeant Leroy A. Petry distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy in the vicinity of Paktya Province, Afghanistan, on May...

Declaring My Faith in Baha’u’llah EDWARD GATHERCOLE | AUG 6, 2018 PART 3 IN SERIES WHY I FOLLOW BAHA’U’LLAH Link to published part 3 Last winter I was in a dark place, adrift and wandering the paths of delusion, heedless of the many signs God has given me to return and face the ancient beauty of all that is. So I decided to fast, which I felt would lead me to something greater in life—or bust. I didn’t know where I was going or what exactly I was seeking, but I needed to return to love, I needed a real sense of what home is all about, I needed to find a way to master the conditions and test of the self. I needed a way to break free from the identification of my childhood trauma stories and create a new narrative for myself. As I decided to fast, I accepted my fate—that either I could save my life or it was death for me. Although my naive focus was on the physical modalities of fasting, the intention was a spiritual one. Many of my peers have considered me a spiritual person, but little...

How the Sweat Lodge Awakened My Soul EDWARD GATHERCOLE | JUL 31, 2018 PART 2 IN SERIES WHY I FOLLOW BAHA’U’LLAH Link to published part 2 While studying Baha’i prayers and writings, I am often reminded of the key elements of the Native American Sweat Lodge ceremony, which awakened my soul. For me, that indigenous ceremony validates being able to know the bounty of  Baha’u’llah’s  message, as well as the progressive revelation of the many messengers of God sent to all the cities of the nations within the world throughout the ages. When I participated in the Sweat Lodge ceremony, I always tried to take part in the heightened conversation it caused, which often deepened the meaning of the spirituality of the ceremony for me. The ceremony was always diverse, something akin to the  Baha’i faith . Around the lodge I met indigenous people with different tribal backgrounds and history including Mexico, Navajo, Hawaii, and also an elder who was part African-American and part indige...