August 19, 2005

My name is Kathy Wright, mother of Cpl. Jeffrey Boskovitch who was killed in action in Haditha, Iraq on August 2, 2005.

I want to share with you and the public my family’s appreciation of overwhelming support for Jeff and our family throughout these very difficult past few weeks.

I came home from work on the evening of August 1, 2005 and was only in the house for a few minutes before the front doorbell rang. The dogs went running and barking to the front door to see what company was about to enter. As I approached the front door, my husband followed keeping the dogs at bay. As I opened the front door, I saw two marines standing there, one looking solemnly and directly into my eyes. At first, I had no response. It seemed like hours had passed with this initial confrontation. After a few moments, I immediately felt the worst despair and deepest pain I had ever known and wept into my husband’s chest. Every mother’s worst nightmare was about to confront me and become a reality. We turned back to the two marines who had asked to enter. I tried to compose myself to find out the purpose of their visit even though I knew the horror that was about to take place in our lives.

The Lt. Colonel had explained that there was an ambush close to the city of Haditha, Iraq and five marines were killed. There were actually two sniper teams consisting of six marines. We were told that the terrorist’s gun fire lasted only seconds and was also heard by air and communication by a third sniper team which was approximately two miles behind the first and second sniper team. Our son Jeff was duty status whereabouts unknown. I felt very sad for the other families being notified at the same time we were, but felt a bit of hope our son was still alive. I had asked if a search and rescue team were out to find Jeff and it was a situation of you make your calls and I will make mine and we will find. Jeff. I thanked them for coming over and they said as soon as information became available they would be back to the house to inform us.

I immediately gathered the family. Jeff’s brother Brian, his sister Kim, girlfriend Shelley and grandmother. I was completely composed speaking to each one telling one that we were going to dinner or the Marines came by with some information on Jeff and I needed them home or come over …whatever lie I had to make up in order to get each one here safely and without occurrence. One by one they came in hearing the news and then within minutes breaking down for hours, weeks, and probably will be months and years. How little we knew at the time.

Since I have always had a strong faith, I asked my husband to take me to St. Albert’s to pray and invited whoever wanted to come along from the family. It was a beautiful starry night as we sat outside the rectory praying to the Blessed Virgin holding Christ in her arms after His death. I asked the Blessed Mother not to put me in the same position, to help my son and to bring him home safely and to give strength to all the other families that had been told.. My daughter said to me, “Mom, maybe God is just giving us extra time to accept the situation about Jeff.” Our biggest fear was of his death, but we also worried that he was injured and by himself or being tortured as a hostage.

We returned home late that evening and after everyone had gone to bed I decided to check the Department of Defense’s website to understand the definition of duty status unknown whereabouts that they classified my son as.

The definition stated: (DOD) A transitory casualty status, applicable only to military personnel, that is used when the responsible commander suspects the member may be a casualty whose absence is involuntary, but does not feel sufficient evidence currently exists to make a definite determination of missing or deceased. Also called DUSTWUN.

After reading the definition I knew my son had been killed. I printed the definition for my husband to see in the morning and sat in the chair listening to the clock tick away into the early hours of morning waiting for the two marines to again come knocking at the door.

At approximately 9:00 am on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 the marines again returned telling us that Jeff had been found dead approximately 4 kilometers away from his original team. Pumping them for more information, they said his blouse (camouflage shirt) was first found with gun shot holes and they had suspected that Jeff had been dragged to a motor vehicle and taken away. His ID tags and boots were also missing, stolen by the terrorists and his body, now dead, had been videotaped and used as a “trophy” by the Iraqis.

The two Marines that came to our home were the most compassionate and honorable men I had ever met. They told us what we wanted to know but explained a lot was still under investigation. They offered their condolences, support, and knowledge to our family and have stayed by our sides to this day. They have advised me, counseled me and protected me. They escorted me; they have been like my guardian angels through all. Most importantly, they honored Jeff with dignity and respect from Jeff’s escort to all the Honor Guards and Pall Bearers.

As I contemplated people to call, one of the first was National City Bank where Jeff and I both worked. At the time, I really had no idea of what type of extended family we had belonged to. From the onset they were at my home offering support, feeding our family through a time a grief, offering assistance to start a memorial fund in Jeff’s name, but above all… the employees showed up in masses either in person or through correspondence letting me know that they were there for me and my family. No matter what the task or question… just ask. How comforting to now how well I was taken care of in a time of need.

It has now been 7 months since Jeff’s death. We, as a family, have overcome this tragic and horrible atrocity that wounded us so deeply. We now look to the heavens to talk to Jeff, laugh at silly things he use to do, visit him frequently at Holy Cross, and wait for the day that we will all be united again. He was/is a very important link still to this day for us. Regardless of the pain, we continue as Jeff would of expected us to….as he did, fearlessly.