Her hair was up in a pony tail, her favorite dress tied with a bow. Today was Daddy's Day at school, and she couldn't wait to go. But her mommy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay home. Why the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone. But she was not afraid; she knew just what to say. What to tell her classmates of why he wasn't there today. But still her mother worried, for her to face this day alone. And that was why once again, she tried to keep her daughter home. But the little girl went to school eager to tell them all. About a dad she never sees a dad who never calls. There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet. Children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats. One by one the teacher called a student from the class. To introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed. At last the teacher called her name, every child turned to stare. Each of them was searching, a man who wasn't there. "Where's her daddy at?" she heard a boy call out. "She probably doesn't have one," another student dared to shout. And from somewhere near the back, she heard a daddy say, "Looks like another deadbeat dad, too busy to waste his day." The words did not offend her, as she smiled up at her Mom. And looked back at her teacher, who told her to go on. And with hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak And out from the mouth of a child, came words incredibly unique. "My Daddy couldn't be here, because he lives so far away. But I know he wishes he could be, since this is such a special day. And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know. All about my daddy, and how much he loves me so. He loved to tell me stories he taught me to ride my bike. He surprised me with pink roses, and taught me to fly a kite. We used to share fudge sundaes, and ice cream in a cone. And though you cannot see him. I'm not standing here alone. "Cause my daddy's always with me, even though we are apart I know because he told me, he'll forever be in my heart" With that, her little hand reached up, and lay across her chest. Feeling her own heartbeat, beneath her favorite dress. And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears. Proudly watching her daughter, who was wise beyond her years. For she stood up for the love of a man not in her life. Doing what was best for her, doing what was right. And when she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd. She finished with a voice so soft, but its message clear and loud. "I love my daddy very much, he's my shining star. And if he could, he'd be here, but heaven's just too far He was a National Guard, and died in Iraq After airplanes hit the towers and taught Americans to fear. But sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away." And then she closed her eyes, and saw him there that day. And to her mothers amazement, she witnessed with surprise. A room full of daddies and children, all starting to close their eyes. Who knows what they saw before them, who knows what they felt inside. Perhaps for merely a second, they saw him at her side. "I know you're with me Daddy," to the silence she called out. And what happened next made believers, of those once filled with doubt. Not one in that room could explain it, for each of their eyes had been closed. But there on the desk beside her, was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose. And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, by the love of her shining star. And given the gift of believing, that heaven is never too far.
H.R. Patrick Junior and sister Janessa Marie
What is a Hero?
A man that gives himself at all times without questions A man that takes the heavy load when no one else can A man that makes every one around him feel special and important A man everyone is proud to have known A man that loves his family and thinks of them always A man that runs to the aid of a fallen soldier A man that is loved and respected by all that he meets A man that is stronger than life itself A man that no one will ever forget A true Hero is Sergeant Patrick McCaffrey
I miss him / Christopher Ulen (Friend/soldier)
I think about him everyday and as much as I try to get that day out of my head I can't. I did everything in my power to keep him alive but I couldn't. I miss him.
Veteran's Village and Patrick's story / Nel Iro (none)
Dear Ms. McCaffrey,
I am an Iraqi translator who served with the US army in Iraq from 2003 until 2005. I have recently arrived and resettled in the US due to the dangers that, as you may know, surround any Iraqis who help in rebuilding their countr...
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THE GUARD GOES TO WAR / Nadia McCaffrey (Mom)
THE GUARD GOES TO WAR Recent Times coverage Sgt. 1st Class Norman Valdez, Staff Sgt. Dennis Sarla, Sgt. Timothy McClurg, Cpl. Patrick McCaffrey Sr., and SPC Scott Aponte were part of the four Humvee patrol conducted that night. These soldiers are all...
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Holding You in my thoughts and prayers / Deb Estep (no)
Holding you in my thoughts and prayers. The Wind on The Downs “I like to think of you as brown and tall, As strong and living as you used to be, In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all, And standing there and laughing down at me. Because they te...
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To the family of Sgt Patrick McCaffrey / Peggy Childers (none)
"June 24, 2008 To the family of Sgt. Patrick R. McCaffrey, Sr.: Patrick gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "...
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In memory of Patrick McCaffrey / Tiffany Ho (friend's daughter )Read >>
I miss you my friend. / Jim Fussell (Childhood - Lifelong Friend )Read >>
Patrick's Quotes ..."I know that you saw the pictures of the Abu Graib abuse-episode with the prisoners and few bad US soldiers.... Believe me, Mom, many of us are ashamed of them, and they don't deserve to wear our colors." Sgt Patrick Ryan McCaffrey Sr
Sergeant Patrick McCaffrey, 34, of Tracy was killed in an ambush, near Balad, Iraq, on June 22 2004, at 11:45 AM, Iraqi time.
Patrick was the first combat death since WW2 or 58 years history of the California National Guard's 579 Engineer Battalion from Petaluma.
McCaffrey was ambushed By Iraqis soldiers that he was training and was hot multiple times with automatic weapons. The attack came from 3 directions, 8 bullets pierced through the sides of his "bulletproof" vest and his back. Even wounded, Patrick protected his fellow soldier, than collapsed next to Lt Andre Tyson.
Patrick McCaffrey was attached to Alpha Company 579 Engineer Battalion. They are part of Task Force Tacoma, which is responsible for the security of LSA Anaconda. Patrick McCaffrey died from massive internal bleeding.
Patrick was born on May 26 1970, at Stanford hospital, Palo Alto, CA.
He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, graduated from Homestead High, he was the quarterback for his football team, the "Mustangs", later he attended De Anza College. He is the father of 2 young children, Janessa Marie, 3, and Patrick Junior, 10.
Patrick joins the National Guard after 9/11 to serve the United States of America in a time of National crisis. Patrick worked as Manager for 13 years at Akins, in Palo Alto, he became General Manager of the Company before deployement to Iraq.
"Even Though, Sergeant McCaffrey was relatively new to the Army, he had progressed quickly to a position of leadership and respect. He was a natural leader with his care for his fellow soldiers and the way others would look up to him for advice and follow his lead. He was a team leader, a position he was more than capable of handling. Sergeant Patrick McCaffrey's contribution to the company as a Combat Life Saver was incredible. He constantly was ensuring that all the other CLS's in the company had all the supplies in their aid bags and where ready. He looked after every one in the company, always asking how every one was doing and helping with their problems..."
Tributes and Condolences
