Matthew Crowder offers a soldier-to-soldier, father-to-father, prayer to the Green Beret who died trying to save his daughters.
Our nation lost a hero today. Chief Warrant Officer II Edward Cantrell died this morning while trying to save his daughters from the fire that was ravaging their home.
Chief Cantrell was one of the Army’s elite, a Special Forces Soldier known as a Green Beret, one of the good guys. He had deployed six times and had been decorated numerous times for his actions in defense of our country, to include the Purple Heart for wounds that he incurred in battle.
While he was a hero to our nation he was and even bigger hero to his family. As a father, I can only imagine that his final thoughts were of his daughters and their safety. Ultimately, they passed along with him as he was unable to get them out. My only hope is that if I am ever in the same situation, I make the same choice.
When I joined the Army I signed up knowing that I may someday give my life for my country, and I would give it gladly. The same goes for those I love, my friends and family. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and colleagues in this difficult time.
Rest now with your beautiful daughters Chief, we’ll take it from here.
Photo: AP/Marcus Castro
My prayers are with his family and friends, wherever they may be.
what a sad sad sad loss.. this story made me cry…
He is a great father, son, and family man. He is my cousin and even though we lived across the United States from each other he made his family proud! Our hearts are broken now.
Thank you so much Sherri for sharing. I can’t come close to knowing how you are feeling right now, but know that there are many of us in uniform that whether we knew your cousin or not will never forget him. He was one of us. He died trying to save his daughters which shows a great deal about who he was was. My prayers go out to you and all of your family in these very difficult times.
I second that. Our thoughts are with your family.
One step to the left of The Throne, one step to the rear.