To My Son,
It has been said “I wish I had the time to tell him. Just one more time. Just How Much I Love You." For me that time has passed. I had told him many times, but I don't think he really knew just how much.
Kenneth Michael Ballard was the name given him at birth. He was born in upstate New York at Griffiss AFB the 21st of July 1977 at 1:16 in the morning. After giving his mother a 17 hour battle in labor, we knew he was going to leave his mark on the world. And he did. The lives he touched, he made better.
The name Kenneth was chosen for a very close friend Karen and I knew in the Air Force. A friend we respected very much by the name of Sergeant Kenneth Sturgill. Michael was chosen to represent the fine qualities found in my brother. Ken's Uncle David Michael Ballard. Who was then serving in the Air Force at Minot North Dakota.
He answered to many names as he was growing-up. Kenny, Kenneth, and Kenneth Michael when you really wanted to get his attention.
When he enlisted in the Army, they called him private. He was assigned to an Abribriams tank crew as a loader. He loaded the Big gun. But that wasn’t good enough. He wanted to be on top. So he went to college. There he earned his degree and his commission as an officer. Now they call him Sir.
For a time I thought he would join the Navy. He would tell me of the different types of battleships, aircraft carriers. The dread knots, the Essex class ships. Nuclear powered subs. I did not even know there was a difference between a ship and a boat. My love was aircraft. Ken and Blake his life long buddy, and I would make rockets that took us days to build and only a few seconds to launch into oblivion. They liked to put the largest rocket motors in them to see just how high they would go. To this day we don’t know where they are or if they ever came back to earth.
I tried to talk Ken into joining the Air Force, but he had his mind set on the Army. He wanted to follow in the footsteps of his Grand Father, LTC Russ Meredith. And he did us all very proud.
For his commissioning as an officer I had a set of 2nd Lt bars made of pure gold. Inscribed on the back it reads, “Love Mom and Dad”.
I had to send them back 3 times because they had to be made to exact military specifications. A perfect mirror finishes with no flaws.
His mother pinned on one and I the other.
I believe it took more time to make them than Ken had to wear them.
He was soon promoted to 1st Lt. Out went the gold replaced by silver bars. If he had the chance I am sure he would have made those silver bars into silver stars.
Some of the soldiers from the 2nd Armored that served with Ken in Iraq are here today to honor Ken and all he stood for.
I would like to read you a poem placed
on a wall of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. May it give us
strength.
AND GOD SAID
I said, “God I hurt.” And God said,
“I know.”
I said, “God I cry a lot.” And God said,
“That is why I gave you tears.”
I said, “God I am so depressed.” And God said,
“That is why I gave you Sunshine.”
I said, “God life is so hard.” And God said,
“That is why I gave you loved ones.”
I said, “God, my loved one died.” And God said,
“So did mine.”
I said, “God it is such a loss.” And God said,
“I
saw mine nailed to a cross.”
I said, “God, but your loved one lives.” And God said,
“So does yours.”
I said, “God where is he now?” And God said,
“Mine is on my right and yours in your heart.”
I said, “God it hurts.” And God said,
“I
know.”
After Sept 11th. No one could have foreseen the profound effects it would have on the world, not to mention our lives today. Ken you will always be in our hearts and in our prayers.
I love you son and I salute you.