A salute to Lucas: A Soldier. Period.

(This Friday, I want to reshare a post I wrote last year about the son of our dear family/friends, Ava and Rick Tomson. Lucas would have been 34 years old tomorrow, the anniversary of D-Day. His life will be celebrated around the globe through the memories of his family and friends. Please join me in honoring a true American hero, who didn't need to change who he was to serve others and to be happy doing it. CHEERS)

It’s Friday, and time for another Thought-Tale hour at the Henderson’s. This week, we have heard a lot about Soldiers - some good, some not so good. On this remembrance of 'D-Day', we would like to toast to the Birthday of an American soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to his country. Lucas was born on June 6, 1981, so this year would be his 33rd birthday here on earth.  He was KIA on April 16, 2007, by a roadside bomb and ensuing firefight.

We did not personally know Lucas “Star” Starcevich in life. Our families came
together after the death of our son brought his mother, Ava, to pay respects at the visitation. Over the last 6 years, we have gotten to know Luke through his family, his friends and his legacy of service. Everything we have learned of him tells us that he was born with the mind and spirit of a soldier. He was an ordinary guy, but he wanted to be in places where the extraordinary go. Lucas served one tour in Iraq, came home and tried to make it as a civilian. But he found himself unsatisfied with the regular life and joined up to return to the more irregular life for most of us - another tour in Iraq.

Lucas, Age 5

While we all know that clearly there was a sad ending to this chapter in his life, there was a great deal of happiness and fulfillment during this time too. He met a beautiful young woman and became engaged. He traveled more of the world and saw things he’d only dreamt of. He made friendships with people that will last throughout their lives. And through it all, he kept an attitude of humor to somehow help lighten the darkness of war that surrounded him and his fellow soldiers. He did this by the use of a Sock Monkey that they inserted into several situations that many of us would find terrifying and ugly. “Won Hung Lo”, as they referred to him, was that regular part of life that Luke inserted into the irregular.

I like to think of people like Luke as being good for that. They bring us the reminder that even if it feels or seems irregular, it’s all just another day in the life of living what you are called to be. Soldiers like Lucas, whether in an actual war or the conflicts of life say to us, "Be cool fool, hang tight – we got this."  So tonight, we relax in our regular surroundings and toast to the birth of one soldier who helped us feel safe knowing he was out there doing his job. Star is now gone from this world, but he remains an example of unwavering courage that will inspire us forever. We are drinking a concoction called “Monkey Tails” to remind us to keep it light, just as Star would have wanted it. Lucas would be drinking a Gin and Tonic, chased by a shot of Jagger...Nothing so foo-foo for him....CHEERS FRIENDS

Recipe for 'Monkey Tails Cocktail'
1 1/2 oz. Irish Cream
1 1/2 oz. Banana Liquor
1 1/2 oz. Vanilla Vodka
Fill a glass with ice. Pour each ingredient in and stir.  Garnish with chocolate syrup and a banana slice.

Lucas' Unit, Baghdad Iraq 2007