Children Honored for Their Family's Sacrifice

Oct. 29, 2007— -- Simultaneous ceremonies were held today in Iraq and at the Pentagon to honor the children of a soldier who was killed in Iraq. Few people know about it, but the military now bestows a special medal to children of fallen soldiers, in remembrance of their family's sacrifice.

In Baghdad Monday, the United States recognized a battle-hardened Lt. Patrick Engeman. His father, John, was killed last year in Baghdad by a roadside bomb, and Engeman, who now serves in Iraq, was honored with the Gold Medal of Remembrance.

"Thank you for taking the time to recognize the service, the sacrifice that my dad made ... thank you," was all Engeman's emotions would allow him to say at the ceremony.

Engeman's sister, Nikki, was also honored with the medal at the Pentagon.

The remembrance medal is a relatively new honor, and one that no one would actually want.

More than 3,000 sons and daughters — many of them quite young — have lost a parent in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Kelsi and Evan Lamberson lost their father when his Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb last year.

"He told me that he'd be back, and we'd be able to do all the things we did before," was all Evan was able to say before tears came.

For children, young and old, the sacrifice of war is all too real.

"I'm getting married next year," Nikki said. "What's the point of planning a wedding if you can't pick out the daddy-daughter dance?"

For the Engeman family, the feeling of loss was compouned by fear. Just two months after his dad's funeral, Patrick shipped off to Baghdad.

"All you can think about is how can you live through losing your dad and your brother in the same war," Nikki said. "You think about that a lot."

Patrick is due to reeturn home next month and had a message for his family at Monday's ceremony in Baghdad.

"I love you ... Mom, Nikki. I'll be home soon," he said.