Met with Seth's mom Anna tonight....

[YELLAHEEP]

Frank Z, Jeff (planefixer) and I met with Seth's mom Anna tonight at her home in the 'Springs to deliver some stickers, associate some names with faces, and to reiterate that and the Colorado Chapter are there to support the Stanton family.

We had a great time getting to know Anna, and hear about Seth and his brothers Nathan (16) and Dillon (9). We were happy to see that she was dealing with her loss very well -as well as can be expected anyway.

She was very thankful to all of us at and wanted us to pass on to you all that she's been utterly amazed at the outpouring of support and kind gestures by those of us in the four wheeling community. She is very excited about the COHVCO projects and said she looks forward to meeting many of us at the memorial run in August.

Anna shared lots of photos of Seth, their family and his Cherokee. I thought I'd post up these two photos - simply awesome shots:

 

[Frank Z]

I was honored to be there and proud to be associated with this group.

I gotta tell ya folks Anna puts on a brave front, and she's still keeping it together for the sake of her two sons. It was so very generous of her to share her home with us and to share stories of Seth , Nathan, and Dillon. She's a tough lady.

She told us, more than once, that she and her family are overwhelmed at the out pouring of support that they have received from so many people, including everyone on this forum...keep up the good work folks.

We discussed some of the things that have taken place since Seth's funeral and some of the things that are being planned for the future... trail cleanup efforts, memorial runs, etc.. She's as enthusiastic as the rest of us.

In her living room a china cabinet has holds the flag the covered Seths coffin, his medals and citations, stacks of cards and lettrs. and a copy of the Congressional Record that reads as follows:

Sen. Ken Salazar D-CO
Mr. President, I rise to reflect on the loss of a Coloradan and member of the U.S. Armed Forces, Army PFC Seth Stanton. Private First Class Stanton was fatally wounded late last month in Taji, Iraq, when a roadside bomb exploded beneath his vehicle. He was only 19 years old.
In June 2005, after graduating from Coronado High School in Colorado Springs, he enlisted in the Army. At the time the improvised explosive device destroyed the humvee in which he was riding, had been in Iraq for 2 months.
Seth Stanton was a young man who, as his uncle noted, lived every minute of his life to the fullest. He was an outstanding student who was skipped all the way up to the 12th grade, ahead of his age, after being home schooled for many years.
And he loved off-roading in his prized Jeep Cherokee with its heavy-duty suspension and oversized tires rumbling across our state's rugged terrain. He even bragged to his friends about how four fellow service members told him one day "how illegal my Jeep is."
As a man, Seth Stanton had many opportunities ahead of him. But instead of choosing to attend college or join the workforce, Seth Stanton chose a different path: the U.S. Army. Private First Class Stanton knew that his Nation, and the people of Iraq, needed his service and support, and he bravely stepped forward and volunteered for this challenging duty.
Private First Class Stanton didn't choose to follow this path, as his grandmother Georgell noted, out of politics or economics or some other motive. He chose it because he knew in his heart it was the right thing to do: dedicate himself to a cause greater than his own.
The tragedy of a life of such promise going unrealized affects everyone in this body, and in this Nation, but not as deeply or personally as it will move his parents Stephen and Anna or the rest of his family. Every American mourns your loss with you, and Seth's courage and sacrifice will be honored always.
Chapter Five of the Book of Matthew chronicles that, in his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." I hope that this brings you solace in the coming days, with the knowledge that He holds Seth close, and blesses his character and sacrifice.

 

[planefixer]

It was an honor to meet her- very nice woman.It did seem like she was holding up pretty good considering the circumstances :thumbup: :thumbup: .

 

[YELLAHEEP]

An update:

Frank Z and I have been working with Anna to get some stickers and a care package sent to the soldiers in Seth's unit. Anna e-mailed these two photos that she received from the wife of Seth's Staff Sgt. Gabriel Lincoln. Apparently these are of Seth while stationed at Ft. Hood just prior to his deployment.

If any of you want to contribute to the care package, PM Frank Z.

 

[Frank Z]

I'll be jumping in with both feet as soon as we get back from Moab, but any and all are more than welcome to send me a PM if you're interested in contributing in any way.