Ghost 7

As you read this site, please feel free to comment and to suggest new ideas and opinions.

I have tried to contact the Dem. leadership and no one will speak with me. They are affraid of a dad. No wonder we are having troubles as a country.

I never knew Joshua personally, but I am connected to his family through my nephew Aaron Jozsef, Josh's step-brother. Aaron is proudly serving in the Coast Guard.

The lion's share of the war on terror is being carried by the men and women of the US armed forces, in Iraq, Afghanistan and anywhere else the terrorists are planning our demise. Unfortunately the members of Congress are so far removed from the front line soldiers, they appear to have no idea what's coming, how deadly the next 9-11 will be. Political ambitions are more important to the Democrats and some Republicans, and the cost of their blindness will be staggering. Rest assured we will be attacked again !

Please don't let Josh's ultimate sacrifice be in vain. Support the troops be yelling at Congress to act on America's behalf, and not on their political ambitions. Your children's lives and the future of America is at stake !

This past weekend Wendy and I were connected with many Gold Star families at the Ft. Carson TAPS weekend. Remember the Brave dinner followed and having so many honor each other and to be in the company of so many brave soldiers was more than uplifting. It was inspiring.
On Saturday I was honored to speak with two of my sons comrades, Jerry Anderson and John Larson. God Bless them and their service. I am a poor substitute for the hero who led them, but I am so proud to call SSG Joshua Hager, my son.

I saw your post in the RMN. I was the one that asked if you could share your son with the people who care and are feel they are forever in your debt because of your son's bravery and honor,serving his nation.

The disgusting comments on the blog is what is wrong with this country.They don't get what it is like to get off their high horses and honor the soldiers who went to war and served their country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. I have 2 children and would be devastated if one of them were killed serving their country and then their service and dedication smeared by left-wing nutjobs.All because they don't like President Bush.

I am humbled that you have put up this website and shared your son with me.Thank You for your generosity and honoring your son who is a true hero in my eye's.

May you find peace and solice knowing I appreciate your families sacrifice for our country.

Joshua will always be in my prayers and I will be forever grateful for his service.

He was a Great American. Thank You,Joshua. May you Rest in Peace.

I was so saddened to hear the news about our friend, Josh. Kris, now that I have two children, I can't even begin to imagine how you are dealing with losing him. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Josh was a great man and your website memorial sure speaks of how proud you were of him.

Take care and keep your wonderful memories of him alive and well.

Lori Deacon

Kris,

I just met you recently and wanted to let you know that I am disgusted by the actions or Non actions of the elected officals that refused to talk to you.
However, that does not surprise me, but it does embarass and disgust me.

I have taken the liberty to mail everyone in my address book a copy of the letter that you posted, along with the web page address for their viewing.

I am hoping that they will in turn forward this to everyone in their address book.

I am sincerely sorry for your personal loss and even more sorry and embarrased by the attitudes of the members of congress.

Sincerely,

David L. Gaines
Jackson, Louisiana

Kris,
Thank you for a page that sheds light on the type of men and women who willingly place themselves in harms way, so that the rest of us may find enjoyment in the freedoms they provide. My connections to Joshua are through his honorary CrossFit workout and living in Denver. Today is 7 years since the attacks on the World Trade Center, The Pentagon. Also to be remembered are the inncoent people who heroically foiled an attack, which ended in the airliner crashing in rural Pennsylvania. & years ago to this day, it was apparent that the US wneede to send tropps into the middle East and eventually led to our involvement in Iraq, where your son fought heroically and gave everything for us here at home.

Today's CrossFit workout is to select a "hero" workout; for me it will be Joshua. It is difficult to select a workout as they are all dedicated to brave and honorable men and to pick one over another feels as a slight. Thankfully, reading about these men, none of them are interested as much in themselves as they are in those around them.

I wanted to let you know, that all of these men, as well as their comrades in arms, are remembered regularly by the great group of men and women that follow the CrossFit program.

Joshua will not be forgotten, nor his sacrifices be made in vain.

When in the presence of military personel, whether current or retired, we, as a nation, must remember that they are all heroes. Whether their service was in peace or war time was not their decision, but nevertheless they all committed to doing whatever was required of them by their country, with no questions asked.

The war is not a matter of political party alone, though I agree that one party seems to have a lot more people that need talking to. Let's be sure to get those involved in either party to recognize the sacrifices of our mlitary personel, and to encourage them to give them what they need to win this war!

Kris, your great son, Josh, did not die in vain. I am terribly saddened that some of the Washington elitists did not see fit to talk with you about his death. I have a wonderful son who still carries hidden scars from his tour of duty in Vietnam and the way they were treated when they returned. One of the letters I received from him while he was gone said, "It's a case of 'mind over matter'. They don't mind and we don't matter!" It is hard to imagine what is happening to this great nation~~~~very few statesmen any more, only politicians. But thank you for keeping Josh's memory alive. You are a great Dad. God bless you and your family and may He keep you ever in His care as He makes the days and years ahead more bearable for you and yours.

eileen

Kris,
You have created a wonderful tribute to Joshua. It's easy to see where he got his courage, and selfless "love of country". His story and your message must be heard, so keep up the good fight. I couldn't find one word I disagreed with in your tribute. May God grant Joshua a wonderful place to rest until you and the rest of your family are re-united. It's men like Josh, Dads like you, and families like yours that make America "the greatest country on earth." Justin Wilde

This is such an inspiring way to honor your son and all those who have and have served. And what an amazing person you and your wife must be to have reared and educated such a fine man. I can never repay the debt I owe to people like your son except to remember their sacrifices every time I enjoy the littlest of freedoms...

My condolences to you and your family. It's hard to believe that it's been six years since John passed from this life. I still miss him and his laugh.

My girlfriend’s son recently returned from Afghanistan. While serving, he was injured by an IED, luckily not too seriously and keeping all his limbs. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was one of the lucky ones. At the first opportunity, we went to visit him and his family at Ft. Lewis in Dupont, WA. While there, on the Saturday morning, they have a tradition where a group gets together and runs 3 miles. The run is to remember the fallen. My girlfriend’s daughter-in-law runs it every Saturday and invited us to join. For this, my girlfriend got me a blue shirt, this is their symbol, which simply states on the front “wear blue: run to remember”. Before the run, every one stands in a big circle in the parade ground, and we were each handed a slip of paper with a name on it. The protocol is to go round the circle, and announce the name of the person we were running to remember. Mine simply said – SSG Joshua Ryan Hagar 02/22/07. When my turn came, I proudly said the name. A prayer was said, then we all embarked on the run. It was beautiful cold winter morning, but the sun was shining. It was a glorious run.
Since then, I have recently completed two races, the Sarasota half-marathon, and just today the Kennedy Space Center 5K. For each run I wore my blue shirt. For each run, I carried the same slip of paper. And before each run, I took it out and read it to myself.
I never knew you, Joshua Ryan Hagar, but as long as I am able to run, and enjoy the freedom to do so, I will never forget you.

On Sunday, October 20, my girlfriend and myself ran the Army 10 miler in Washington DC. It was another cold and frosty fall morning, but clear blue skies and a glorious day. We and 35,000 others ran from the Pentagon, through the mall and back, running alongside other warriors from all branches. It was a beautiful run in our Nation's Capital. We ran on the behalf of the Fisher House, an organization supporting military families. Through family and friends we raised over $1600, including $25 in Josh’s name. After the race, I changed out of my Team Fisher House shirt into my blue “Run to remember” shirt.
Thank you Josh for the inspiration, thank you for helping other families.
It was a beautiful day.

My nephew is a Ranger, just completed 4th place as Best Ranger 2014. I was made aware of your son and his service and remarkable story while keeping up on my nephew. Your poem moved me, and inspired me to make it even more special....they are my words. only two extra lines, but YOUR poem and your son's exceptional spirit guided my mind and hand. Here it is,and I hope you are not upset nor offended.

The Winds and Wings of War

By Kris Hager

I watched a bird fly in a breeze,

That other birds would not.

And with each beat of fighting wings,

I wondered why he fought?

Fought so hard against a wind,

That kept him so he must begin

To beat and fight with mighty wings

From where he’d just begun.

Though broken and heavy my heart may be,

Then the words came back to me,

“Faith, though small as a mustard seed

Will lead you safely home.”