Local Soldier Spotlighted During National Concert
Category: Local...
Posted Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 09:59 PM [GMT-6]

Did you catch the live broadcast of the National Memorial Day Concert on PBS this evening? The highlight of this excellent program was the focus on the experiences of SSG John Faulkenberry, a Midland native who was seriously wounded in Afghanistan (and who's been the subject of other Gazette posts here, here, and here).

If you missed it, perhaps the program will be re-broadcast, because his story is powerful, and powerfully told. The telling was done via the rather unusual technique of using actors to speak the words of those most closely involved in the story: Dennis Leary spoke from John's perspective, and Gail O'Grady and Caitlan Wachs played, respectively, the roles of John's wife, Sarah, and Karen Pfeifer, the wife of John's combat teammate, Chris. Chris Pfeifer carried John to safety and likely saved his life after he was wounded. You can read the poignant story of how Chris a few weeks later became one of America's fallen heroes, and how John and Sarah are living out the bond between the two families that began on the battlefield here.

After this dramatic reading, the camera shifted to the audience, where John, Sarah, Karen, and daughter Peyton – born shortly after Chris's death – were seated. The actors went into the audience to pay homage to these three, and the huge audience joined them with a standing ovation. It was a moving tribute, and one that was well deserved, although I'm sure John would insist otherwise, preferring to direct the attention to Chris Pfeifer.

Note: The PBS website provides a place for those who have lost loved ones in military service, or whose family members have been injured to share their experiences and insights, with the hope that by doing so, they may offer encouragement and wisdom to others who have experienced similar tragedy.