| SPC CHARLES E. ODUMS, ll August 15, 1981 ~ May 30, 2004 Jan. 21, 2006 My son, Spc. Charles E. Odums II was killed in Baghdad Iraq on May 31, 2004. Everyday I miss Charles. He will never be forgotten by his family or friends. Charles "Odie" was an Army medic; and he enjoyed his job. He was well-trained, and knew how to respond. We have been told that he saved two lives before he was killed. Charles was nicknamed "Odie" by his fellow soldiers. Odie was also a member of the scout unit while stationed in Iraq. He was driving on a scouting mission when his Humvee hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Our "sunshine" is gone. I am dealing with the loss of our son, as gracefully as possible. I will be forever grateful that we were blessed to share his life. We only had him for twenty-two years, but that time has left us with many memories. I know that Charles was a child of God. He grew up in the church, and was baptized at an early age. Please, continue to pray for the soldiers who are still away from their loved ones. My family supports the soldiers everywhere. They are all American Heroes. In loving memory of our American Hero, Spc. Charles "Odie" E. Odums, II. God is our strength. Mrs. Ann Odums St. John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. This is what my son did for all of us in May of 2004. He will never be forgotten. The Lord is my strength and my salvation. We love and miss you Charles. Dad Charles E. Odums Sr. January 21, 2006 Dear Charles, We love you and miss you there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of you. I know that we will see each other again and although you had to leave us so soon, I am so very proud of you! When you were called for service you met that challenge, as a man and diligently gave your life to save others. Your nephews; Joshua & Jalen are doing fine and little Jalea (the niece you never met) loves you too! I know that you are in a better place, watch over us from up there. May you rest in peace baby brother. “I love you”, Janel Spc Charles E. Odums, ll 23 January 2006 I cry every time I think of you and thank God for the joy you brought into my life. You were a perfect older brother to Lauren and very protective also. As a little guy, you played with Lauren and Ginger in my living room and i hoped you would never grow up. You came to Canada with the Boy Scouts and camped out for the weekends. At night you pitched tents, had a big campfire, roasted hot dogs, and had fun. You were growing. I remember how excited you were when you joined the soccer team. When we went to aunt Della's funeral in Silas Alabama, you sat by my side and Lauren on the other. As i cried during the funeral, you put your arm around me for comfort as Lauren patted me on my knee. Your arm was of a strong sensitive young man growing up in life. I was proud when you went into the Army. When you got married, I wanted to call you and never did. I was not paying much attention to TV on Sunday when they announced 2 soldiers killed in Iraq that day, but it stuck in my mind for some reason. The next day, Labor Day, your aunt Marva called and cried. I cried. My heart cried. My soul cried. No Lord, not my nephew. Not Chucky. The news spread thru Sandusky, around the country and then around the world. When they showed your face on CNN, I asked, do they know who you are? Did they know you were Charles and Ann's oldest son, Janel's brother and Lauren's older brother? Did they know you have a little nephew name Josh? Did they know you had just got married? Did they know how you admired your cousins, Tia, Ottist, Tony, and Brad. You were the kid next door, a Boy Scout, the newspaper boy, the nice little boy down the street, Louise Johnson's grandson. You grew up to be somebody. Yes Lord. You had plans. The whole world would know you had been here. Yes Lord. Your face has been on TV and in newspapers all over the world. You are in the hearts of all Americans. Yes Lord. Everyone in Sandusky knows you. You live Chucky. You are alive in my heart and i jump up and down with joy. Yes Lord. And I shout to the world with the happiness you have put in my heart. Yes Lord. I shout. Chucky don't need no 15 minutes. Chucky's joy will live forever in my heart. Yes Lord. Yes Lord. I love you Chucky. Uncle Sonny I MISS YOU I find myself thinking of you more often Sometimes I try to forget you're not here But then I say to myself that's not right How could I do such a thing After all you died for us All of us Us as Americans and as family How could I want to forget MY hero, my cousin You had the strength and courage to fight, to take a stand The first in my generation to fight It's sad you did not make it back to be with Melonie and start a family But through the papers I've read I know you liked being a medic And because I know you're in a better place you probably know I want to be in the medical field also Before you were killed I wrote to you to see if you were okay I hope you got it I sometimes dream about you Dream about you here alive and doing well I wish you wouldn't have gone to Iraq Chuck I love you, I miss you and I am SO proud of you Like Rob said "I'll see you later " ~Love T.k. Loving You SPC Charles E. Odums, ll On May 31st 2004 I was in Savannah Ga. on the beach in Tybee Island when I felt the presence of someone standing over me. When I opened my eyes no one was there. This happened about 3 times before I decided to get up. I went to play in the water with the other kids but that feeling that someone was standing over me didn't leave. The next day, June 1st, I got the news that Chuck was gone I knew then what that feeling was. It was him coming to tell me he ws gone, he was ok and for me not to worry. I'm Chuck's youngest aunt on his father's side. I was his baby-sitter so Chuck was more than a nephew to me. He was my oldest son he and my son Sam are only two years apart. Chuck spent a lot of time with me and I'm so proud to have been a part of his up coming. Chuck you served your family and country well and Auntie is very proud of you. LOVE ALWAYS Auntie Cathy He Only Loaned Him For A While On Memorial Day 2004, my brother called to tell me my nephew was gone, A feeling of anger, rage and sadness filled me, and then I felt alone. A young kid with his whole life ahead of him, what do you mean he’s gone? I felt a personal lost, then I was reminded, he wasn’t mine to keep, he was on loan. God loans us love one in our lives to enhance it and make us smile. God loans people to us but not forever; He only loans them for a while. To me He loaned a nephew, to his parents he loaned a child, To his siblings he loaned a brother, but to all of us only for a while. The times we shared, the laughter we had, both in good times and in bad, I remember them all as I wipe away my tears, for in my heart I am sad. I turned to the Word for consolation, and after I studied I smiled; While in my study the Spirit reminded me, He only loaned him for a while. When I look at his parents, family and friends and all the pain we feel, We all must know with in our hearts that though sad, this is God’s will. What words can be said to comfort us all as we struggle through this trial? The constant refrain that rings in my ear is; He only loaned him for a while. The word I wish to share with all; Family, Foe and Friends, Death is not the end of life, merely the transition where eternal life begins. As we reflect on his short life, let us do that with a smile, Thanking God for the time we had with him, knowing He only loaned him for a while. Love you Chuck, Rev. R. Gregory Odom Uncle Greg --------------------------------------------------- At times I find myself thinking of our childhood and our friendship. The way we lost touch and the way you were lost. I think to myself why you. I had thought about you years before you passed. My thoughts were of how You, Bookie, Steve, Ballhead and me would interact 20 somethin' years from now as old-school cats. It was like I was there! If you were here I would say Bush is a crook, but your not so I say Bush is a crook! I'm sorry if these words are crass, but I'm talking to you in this letter. I didn't vote the first year Bush was elected, but after you passed I not only voted in the last election; I tried to run for city commissioner. I know looking down you were thinking...what? I never met your wife, you didn't get a chance to meet my family. You were lost before your time, but you have left a mark. That is what life is really about when you look at it. Does that help the ones that miss you? Probably not, but it helps me. In the days, weeks, months or years I have left; I hope I can touch as many people as you. Then, maybe when its my time to join you; I can look down with you and laugh! Later Charles! ya boy Lonnie. --------------------------------------------------------- Feb. 8, 2006 I'd like to share part of a letter sent to us, the parents of Spc Charles E Odums II. It truly touched us that someone so young has such insight. Ann Odums Feb. 1, 2006 Dear Family of Spc Charles E Odums II, I am Brendan Hyland, a thirteen year old boy at Gesu School in University Hts, OH.....I am also a very opionated kid, and I believe that this war was unnecessary. It has caused a lot of pain in our society and cost the United States a huge amount of money. The main concern is the death toll and how we're going to get the troops out of that area. A lot of lives have been lost because of this war, and those lives didn't need to be harmed at all. .... I am very sorry to hear about your son, I think that if your son was a soldier in the war and he died fighting for his country, he might not want to die any other way because he felt he was carrying out God's plan for him. The process of accepting your loss is very hard. But remember that he died while he was saving you and many others. In my mind, if I were a parent, I'd be proud of my son for standing up above others and courageously defending our country, and you should be too. Although I am not a supporter of the war and what it stands for, I am a supporter for those that are dealt with the challenge of being a part of it. I firmly believe that your son, along with others who have died in battle, should be made saints. They helped people, they took the challenge of trying to help put together a very distressed country, and they are having success. I think that you should be very proud of your son and remember that he passed away while helping, saving, and in some case putting back the lives of others. I will keep you in my prayers during this recovery period that you are experiencing. Sincerely, Brendan Hyland -------------------------------------------- I didn't know Charles. You have my heartfelt sympathy. I know what your going through as I lost a great nephew Sgt. Michael Marzano on May 7,2005 in Haditha. May God give us the strength to go on with life without them. Sally Homer ------------------------------------------- I can't believe that it has already been 2 years, since we lost you. It seems like yesterday that we talked to you on the phone for the last time. You were fine, and you said that you would call on on memorial day. I still remember the exact time and place, when we got the news. Charles you are so missed, and we wish that you were still here. We are so proud of what you did for our freedom. Robert misses you so much, I know you check on him from time to time though. Taevin talks about you often, and he misses you too. You just had a baby neice, and her middle name is Char'Rae, after you. I wish that she could have met you, but we will always keep your memory alive. Tears are starting to swell up in my eyes, so I am going to end this. Just know that we love you and we will always keep your memory alive. Love You, your sister in law Phelica Odums ------------------------------------------------ Hi Charles, Your picture and your presence has touched my heart from the first time I saw you. You are a sweet soul and your smile always makes me smile back. Diana -------------------------------------------------------- |
HONORING SPC CHARLES E. ODUMS, ll
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