No title necessary
You'll have to pardon me for getting completely off-topic for once, but some things are just more important than television. This is an email I just got, via Myspace:
Q: Hi Daniel,
Unless I'm hallucinating, I recall somewhere along the line that you went to Syracuse.
I know you get a lot of random "Lost" questions, and I'm an avid reader of the blog (every Thursday, it's what I look forward to). I'm even having "Lost" parties at my apartment for a few friends so we can relive the glory days of seasons 1 and 2. However, I am writing to you on a very different subject.
One of my best friends at Syracuse (met him day 2 of college in Dellplain - he was a sophmore), who consequently became my best friend's fiance, was killed in Baghdad on September 27th, 2006. SU is beginning a memorial fund in his name for children of soldiers who were either lost or hurt in any war. Our first fundraiser is in NYC on June 21st.
If you could help by asking people to mail donations made payable Syracuse University and mail them to:
Leila Rice
Director of Gift Planning
James Lyons Memorial Fund
Syracuse University
820 Comstock Ave
Syracuse NY 03244
I do not think the LD people would care (and as a blogger, I would not, if I were you, want to get too political, esp since "Lost" is about an island, not politics), but if you are still in contact with any SU alums, mentioning this scholarship program would mean the world. James was one of my best friends and his loss is part of my daily existence, despite my affiliation with the left side of the political fence.
Thank you for taking time to read this.
Best,
Lindsay
A: Maybe it's because I went to Syracuse. Or maybe it's because I lived in that same dorm sophomore year. Or maybe it's because I wouldn't have been able to sleep tonight if I didn't post this -- but here it is.
Since I've taken the habit of always being completely honest with you guys, here goes: I have never met Lindsay or her friend, First Lieutenant James Lyons. Nonetheless, it's 10:30 PM here in Los Angeles and I can't stop crying. I am not asking anyone do anything and I promise not to make a habit out of this. It's just that for some reason this affected me.
No need for comments on this one, especially if it's going to turn nasty. I just figured that posting this email was quite literally the least I could do.
Have a great weekend everybody.
(PS -- Because I can never be 100% serious, I was kidding before. Nothing is more important that televison.)
UPDATE: Fundraiser info
The fundraiser is June 21st in NYC. Choice Kitchen Third Ave (at 27th-28th Street). 7pm - 10pm. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at the door. Free booze/food.
Comments
RIP James Lyons, and God Bless you and all the rest of our brave soldiers who fight and sometimes make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms and give us all the ability to blog and comment about TV shows.
If it weren't for our brave soldiers, America would not be "the land of the free and the home of the brave".
Is there any way to get additional info on the June 21 fundraiser? Where in NYC is it?
Rich
Posted by: Rich DeBerg | June 8, 2007 06:00 AM
This is unbelievably sad. My heart goes out to everyone involved in this.
RIP James Lyons
Posted by: Reese | June 8, 2007 06:46 AM
RIP Soldier! Your service will never be forgotten.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 8, 2007 06:52 AM
Lindsay,
This totally breaks my heart. Having three kids of my own, I really feel for not only the little ones who are now fatherless, but also the widows who now have to deal with their loss and struggle to raise children all alone.
It takes great spirit and dedication to do what our soldiers are doing. I think of them and pray for them daily. I whole heartedly agree with Rich's comments.
I think that this memorial fund is a great way to honor your friend and also keep his memory alive. Is there any way that those of us who live across the country can contribute? Oregon is a long way from NYC, although I'd love to be there.
Thank you for giving us a way to help!
God Bless.
Posted by: Teresa Lynn | June 8, 2007 07:20 AM
This hits close to home. One of my cousins just came back from his 2nd tour in Iraq and we just got word that his son is headed directly to Baghdad next month, he's only 19.
Thank you to the Soldiers in Iraq and all around the world. MAY GOD WATCH OVER YOU AND YOUR FAMILY EVERY DAY.
Posted by: Janice (formerly Belle) | June 8, 2007 08:11 AM
May God Bless James' family & friends. Our soldiers are the bravest men & women I know. As a mother of 3... I thank them every day for letting us be & feel safe in the best country in the world. I cannot make a monetary donation (remember I said that I have 3 kids?!?) But I can make an emotional donation by telling you that I will pray for all of you & our remaining soldiers today & every day. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us. God bless America!
Posted by: Christina | June 8, 2007 08:39 AM
Is there an online donation form (via a website or paypal) where one might send a donation.
Posted by: Emmaleigh | June 8, 2007 08:59 AM
Very sweet Daniel. God bless and keep our brave soldiers safe. God bless and comfort the Lyons family.
Posted by: ♥ Susan ♥ | June 8, 2007 09:13 AM
That is extremely tragic. James family and friends will be in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for the address for the donations, it is an important cause to give to. Thank you Daniel for sharing with us, by posting that letter we are able to help in anyway we can and that is what a family does.
Posted by: Tristan | June 8, 2007 11:04 AM
Lindsey - I will pray for your friend's family as well as all the brave men and women serving our amazing country.
Rich - great comment. How true, we are lucky to be able to busy ourselves with LOST theories and other frivolities while our brothers and sisters are risking their lives. God bless them and may they come home VERY SOON.
widsl
Posted by: widsl | June 8, 2007 11:53 AM
Daniel,
Thank you so much for posting that. We all laugh and joke about things here, but what you posted is the reality of our world right now. Maybe we needed to be reminded. I'm so sad for all the families who have lost their children, brothers, sisters, fathers,mothers...it's tragic. I'm trying so hard not to say anything political. God bless those who have gone to war and risked their lives for us, and God bless their families for having the strength to go on while they're over there; or worse yet, to endure the pain when they don't come back.
I feel that by posting that letter you just showed us a part of you that we may never have known. Now I not only enjoy being a part of your Myspace and the diary, but I respect you for showing your kindness, expressing your feelings, and reminding us what the true meaning of "LOST" is.
God bless you Daniel, and God bless our troops and their families.
Posted by: Teresa | June 8, 2007 05:42 PM
God bless all those over fighting this war - may they all be home safe soon....
Really cool you posted this, Daniel. :)
Posted by: JenJen | June 9, 2007 04:44 PM
I can't seem to find the words...just to say thanks for posting that Daniel.
Posted by: Kitty | June 10, 2007 09:11 PM
It is very easy to get caught up in the media craze and pop culture of today, while our country's best fight for freedom and against terrorism on foreign soil. We should always remind ourselves that this is a paradise that we call home (and I have lived abroad to know firsthand); our freedoms and liberties have been delivered to us throughout history by men like James Lyons. God Bless each and every serviceman and woman and their families that make the ultimate sacrifices for you and I to live in a better world.
And one more thing... Daniel you are quite a sweet guy. What a catch you are! Great post today, thanks-
P.S. It was also GREAT to read Rich's amazing post! After his banter with Tony I was delighted to see a softer side- !!
Posted by: Lost in Texas has been FOUND! | June 11, 2007 08:20 AM
Thank you to everyone who has read and posted on this. And thank you to Daniel for putting it out there in the first place. The response has been wonderful and heart-warming. This scholarship is a small way for all of us who loved James to remember him, and the fact that you guys, who are complete strangers, have said such wonderful things guarantees for me that he will not be forgotten.
-Lindsay
Posted by: Lindsay | June 11, 2007 12:47 PM
Daniel,
Thank you for posting this, it made me tear up. Is there any way we can put this in a bulletin post so that we may all repost to all our friends and keep this going?
God bless everyone affected by this war. My prayers go out to all the family/friends of those who have lost a loved one or missing them while they are away to fight for our freedom.
Posted by: Patty | June 14, 2007 01:33 PM