Corporal Justin David Ross
September 14th, 1988-March 26th, 2011
That Saturday the 26th started out like any other. Mark was home and we had planned to put tile in our laundry room. After working on it most of the day, we finished and headed over to my parents. My immediate family gets together most Saturday nights to play games together. It's nice we all live close and have that time to spend together and make memories. We were getting ready to pray for the food we were about to consume and what my dad was about to say would change our world forever. My grandma had called him that morning with some news, "Justin was killed in action." The next few minutes all I could hear were the sobs of the other family members at that time.
A number of things ran through my head, I'll never see him again(on earth) was so hard to except. God has a purpose for everything, He must have needed Justin to help with something in heaven. A short time later, my dad followed up with prayer. For Justin's family, for our family for what he stood and died for and then our meal. Needless to say we did not end up playing games that night. My parents headed over to my grandparents, and my sister, me and our families went home.
The next day Sunday morning I attended my parents church, where all my other relatives in town attended, and I shared in the grief with them. As we heard the news once more from the pastor there, it continued to hit me hard. The prayer lifted me up, but not enough to sing any of the worship songs. I had made it back in time to be in nursery at my own church in town, and after, shared in hugs and tears as the news spread.
The next week went by fast, and as the days proceeded it got easier to except the news. I continued to think that God's purpose for Justin's life was fulfilled, and he was in a better place, but it was still hard to understand. Justin had died fighting for our freedom, for the country we live in, for the rights we take for granted everyday. I found myself weeping in the shower one morning thinking, why would God take someone so young, someone whose life was meaningful and had a purpose. Why wouldn't He take someone whose life didn't mean that much? Why did it have to be him? Why couldn't it have been me? If God has a purpose I have not yet fulfilled, I need to figure out what that is, so I can die with the knowledge of pride for my God, maybe not my country, but I have something to live for right? Otherwise I wouldn't be here.
We left and headed to Green bay Saturday night
at 7:00pm, and checked into the Hotel. Sunday morning Justin's body had been brought back from Dover and I wasn't present for the ceremony, but from what my uncle said, it was a very honoring and special moment to see. The Green bay police, and fire trucks blocked traffic as they had a procession from the airport to the funeral home. We arrived at the church for the first visitation, earlier than my aunt and uncle that night and as we waited there was a display of a hat, gun and boots, to represent the fallen solider. They had someone guarding it at all times, every thirty minutes they would have the changing of the guards. Just to see that for the first time, took me. I had not realized the emotion that would take place. Just to see that these men would stand guard to keep my cousin safe and secure was beyond words. We met with the rest of the family as they showed up and were privileged to spend time with Justin by ourselves. We had watched the slide show put together, because it was the closest thing to seeing him again since the casket was closed. Then we watched as everyone who paid their respects came and gone. It was a roller coaster of emotions to see different ways people grieve. The amount of respect in the room would overflow the largest of water towers, and it was truly a blessing to be apart of it, not just personally as a family member but as a human being.
The next morning we were up early for more visitation and the memorial service. The out pouring of the visitors was a little overwhelming at times. Knowing that a lot of people didn't even know Justin, but came out anyway for support was one of the greatest feelings. Guests include: A band member of "The Ready Set" to the Governor of Wisconsin, to a former pro NFL player, the whole city was in remembrance of Justin. Just to see everyone who had come out to support him, the children of a school near by lined up the sidewalk as we walked out for the military honors. It was such an amazing site to be a part of. Justin never would have dreamed of getting so much attention, he was always so shy, never wanted to be looked at or have his picture taken. He was truly honored and will be remembered forever.
I would have to say the "role call" was the hardest part for me. While we were outside saying our final goodbye before burying him at Arlington, the guy in charge of his unit did "role call" he called out two soldiers names, and then he yelled out "Corporal Ross?" The sobs
heard from then on were enough to understand that he really was gone. "Corporal Justin Ross? Corporal Justin David Ross?" Then the gun fire to follow. Driving back home that night we watched as most of the flags were at half staff. The whole state had been notified to honor our soldier and it made me so proud to know him personally. The most amazing site to see was coming around the corner on the highway towards Appleton and the Lexus dealership had three huge flags next to each other all at half staff. They were so big you could have seen them from Heaven. I hope Justin was looking down saying, "All that for me?" You deserve it buddy!
THE MEMORIES:
Justin was one of my many first cousins, and one of the only ones closest to my age being two years younger. I always got along better with the boys and having a six year difference from the next youngest,
we hung out a lot. My brother Kyle probably won't admit it, but we fought over who would play with Justin when they came to visit for family events. I figured since Kyle had Kayla, our cousin on my mom's side, and being only two weeks apart, I could have Justin! Kyle wouldn't give him up though, so we always ended up playing together. Justin never wanted to be the center of attention, but always found a way to make us laugh. Like Kyle, I always looked forward to hanging out when they came to town, but as we got older, I held back and let Kyle hang out with him more, because I was becoming a lady and didn't like to play with all the boy toys and talk about guns and stuff. Even though he was younger, as we got older I eventually started to look up to him (in more ways than one) as he made plans and goals for his life.
These past few months family gatherings haven't been the same. It just seemed like we were missing something. Knowing that he couldn't come home to visit during Thanksgiving or Christmas, just made it a little depressing. When we got together and sent out packages to him for Thanksgiving, I was hoping for something back, a card, or letter, just letting us know he was ok. We use to write letters to each other when they first moved to Green bay. We usually only got to see them maybe four times a year, so we cherished those events and always looked forward to the next event they would come to. Now our family events will always have that void.
He was my favorite male cousin, and I will miss him so much. I'll miss that smirk he use to get, and the way he laughed even if something wasn't funny.
It was so contagious, you couldn't help but laugh with him. The pointless, meaningless jokes, that were so dumb you laughed because he told them. The hugs I would always give him, even though he didn't want to be touched. I'll miss the amount of joy he brought to a room. The feeling of being safe when you were with him. The trips to belts, fireworks out at Grandpa's shop, riding the wave runners, swimming out on the sandbar, pontoon rides. All the things that we will carry on doing, without him there with us. Always talking about the memories and the sacrifice he made to protect our freedom. He will forever remain in our hearts, and never be forgotten.
I walk taller knowing that he followed in Jesus' footsteps and gave his life for people he didn't even know, but knowing that he was fulfilling his purpose in life.
I love you Justin
Your cousin, Katie
*I don't take credit for any of these photos.
Corporal Justin David Ross
September 14th, 1988-March 26th, 2011
That Saturday the 26th started out like any other. Mark was home and we had planned to put tile in our laundry room. After working on it most of the day, we finished and headed over to my parents. My immediate family gets together most Saturday nights to play games together. It's nice we all live close and have that time to spend together and make memories. We were getting ready to pray for the food we were about to consume and what my dad was about to say would change our world forever. My grandma had called him that morning with some news, "Justin was killed in action." The next few minutes all I could hear were the sobs of the other family members at that time. 
A number of things ran through my head, I'll never see him again(on earth) was so hard to except. God has a purpose for everything, He must have needed Justin to help with something in heaven. A short time later, my dad followed up with prayer. For Justin's family, for our family for what he stood and died for and then our meal. Needless to say we did not end up playing games that night. My parents headed over to my grandparents, and my sister, me and our families went home.
The next day Sunday morning I attended my parents church, where all my other relatives in town attended, and I shared in the grief with them. As we heard the news once more from the pastor there, it continued to hit me hard. The prayer lifted me up, but not enough to sing any of the worship songs. I had made it back in time to be in nursery at my own church in town, and after, shared in hugs and tears as the news spread.
The next week went by fast, and as the days proceeded it got easier to except the news. I continued to think that God's purpose for Justin's life was fulfilled, and he was in a better place, but it was still hard to understand. Justin had died fighting for our freedom, for the country we live in, for the rights we take for granted everyday. I found myself weeping in the shower one morning thinking, why would God take someone so young, someone whose life was meaningful and had a purpose. Why wouldn't He take someone whose life didn't mean that much? Why did it have to be him? Why couldn't it have been me? If God has a purpose I have not yet fulfilled, I need to figure out what that is, so I can die with the knowledge of pride for my God, maybe not my country, but I have something to live for right? Otherwise I wouldn't be here.
We left and headed to Green bay Saturday night 
at 7:00pm, and checked into the Hotel. Sunday morning Justin's body had been brought back from Dover and I wasn't present for the ceremony, but from what my uncle said, it was a very honoring and special moment to see. The Green bay police, and fire trucks blocked traffic as they had a procession from the airport to the funeral home. We arrived at the church for the first visitation, earlier than my aunt and uncle that night and as we waited there was a display of a hat, gun and boots, to represent the fallen solider. They had someone guarding it at all times, every thirty minutes they would have the changing of the guards. Just to see that for the first time, took me. I had not realized the emotion that would take place. Just to see that these men would stand guard to keep my cousin safe and secure was beyond words. We met with the rest of the family as they showed up and were privileged to spend time with Justin by ourselves. We had watched the slide show put together, because it was the closest thing to seeing him again since the casket was closed. Then we watched as everyone who paid their respects came and gone. It was a roller coaster of emotions to see different ways people grieve. The amount of respect in the room would overflow the largest of water towers, and it was truly a blessing to be apart of it, not just personally as a family member but as a human being.
The next morning we were up early for more visitation and the memorial service. The out pouring of the visitors was a little overwhelming at times. Knowing that a lot of people didn't even know Justin, but came out anyway for support was one of the greatest feelings. Guests include: A band member of "The Ready Set" to the Governor of Wisconsin, to a former pro NFL player, the whole city was in remembrance of Justin. Just to see everyone who had come out to support him, the children of a school near by lined up the sidewalk as we walked out for the military honors. It was such an amazing site to be a part of. Justin never would have dreamed of getting so much attention, he was always so shy, never wanted to be looked at or have his picture taken. He was truly honored and will be remembered forever.
I would have to say the "role call" was the hardest part for me. While we were outside saying our final goodbye before burying him at Arlington, the guy in charge of his unit did "role call" he called out two soldiers names, and then he yelled out "Corporal Ross?" The sobs 
heard from then on were enough to understand that he really was gone. "Corporal Justin Ross? Corporal Justin David Ross?" Then the gun fire to follow. Driving back home that night we watched as most of the flags were at half staff. The whole state had been notified to honor our soldier and it made me so proud to know him personally. The most amazing site to see was coming around the corner on the highway towards Appleton and the Lexus dealership had three huge flags next to each other all at half staff. They were so big you could have seen them from Heaven. I hope Justin was looking down saying, "All that for me?" You deserve it buddy!
THE MEMORIES:
Justin was one of my many first cousins, and one of the only ones closest to my age being two years younger. I always got along better with the boys and having a six year difference from the next youngest, 
we hung out a lot. My brother Kyle probably won't admit it, but we fought over who would play with Justin when they came to visit for family events. I figured since Kyle had Kayla, our cousin on my mom's side, and being only two weeks apart, I could have Justin! Kyle wouldn't give him up though, so we always ended up playing together. Justin never wanted to be the center of attention, but always found a way to make us laugh. Like Kyle, I always looked forward to hanging out when they came to town, but as we got older, I held back and let Kyle hang out with him more, because I was becoming a lady and didn't like to play with all the boy toys and talk about guns and stuff. Even though he was younger, as we got older I eventually started to look up to him (in more ways than one) as he made plans and goals for his life.
These past few months family gatherings haven't been the same. It just seemed like we were missing something. Knowing that he couldn't come home to visit during Thanksgiving or Christmas, just made it a little depressing. When we got together and sent out packages to him for Thanksgiving, I was hoping for something back, a card, or letter, just letting us know he was ok. We use to write letters to each other when they first moved to Green bay. We usually only got to see them maybe four times a year, so we cherished those events and always looked forward to the next event they would come to. Now our family events will always have that void.
He was my favorite male cousin, and I will miss him so much. I'll miss that smirk he use to get, and the way he laughed even if something wasn't funny. 
It was so contagious, you couldn't help but laugh with him. The pointless, meaningless jokes, that were so dumb you laughed because he told them. The hugs I would always give him, even though he didn't want to be touched. I'll miss the amount of joy he brought to a room. The feeling of being safe when you were with him. The trips to belts, fireworks out at Grandpa's shop, riding the wave runners, swimming out on the sandbar, pontoon rides. All the things that we will carry on doing, without him there with us. Always talking about the memories and the sacrifice he made to protect our freedom. He will forever remain in our hearts, and never be forgotten.
I walk taller knowing that he followed in Jesus' footsteps and gave his life for people he didn't even know, but knowing that he was fulfilling his purpose in life.
I love you Justin
Your cousin, Katie
*I don't take credit for any of these photos.
