Blackfive recently received a letter written by Specialist David Mahlenbrock via Soldiers Angels. It was a death letter David had written to his squad while serving in Iraq.
“Dear 1st Squad,
If you?re reading this, then I?ve died for our country. I just hope it wasn?t for nothing.
After the IED went off yesterday, I wanted to write this in case something happens to me. There are a few more letters that I?d like you to give my wife and family.I?d like to have a military funeral, but, if you can work please make sure that Toby Keith?s ?American Soldier? is played at the ceremony in addition to the bagpipes. If they won?t let it happen, that?s ok, thanks for trying?…
I know that all the belongings I have here will go to Melissa, but there are a few more things I?d like for you guys to make sure she gets. I have a dog tag w/ our picture on it along w/ some pictures and an American flag in my left breast pocket. There is also a can that says ?Son? on it that Melissa?s parents gave me that I?d like for them to have, and that angel stone should go to her grandma and grandpa Snow.
Now if I died w/ blue eyes (one blew that way and one blew the other way) and there?s nothing really left of me, that?s ok, I know you meant well.
Alright, enough with the dead guy?s last request, there?s a lot of thank you?s I wanna say to you fellas??”
Specialist David Mahlenbrock died on Dec 3rd from a IED and will be laid to rest on Dec 15th at Arlington National Cemetary at 10am EST. David’s family and friends are asking radio stations to play Toby Keith’s “American Soldier” on the 15th at 1pm EST with a dedication to Specialist David Mahlenbrock.
Blackfive is trying to enlist as much help as we can get to get this song played at that time so please call all of your local radio stations and forward this request. If you have your own blog please join myself along with Blackfive, Fredschoeneman, Small Town Veteran, and Slaglerock Slaughterhouse in promoting this so we can get this song played.
More information on his burial is here.
“Soldiers’ Angels, a Nevada-based nonprofit organization that seeks to support U.S. military personnel and their families, is still attempting to convince country music star Toby Keith to personally sing “American Soldier” during Mahlenbrock’s funeral.
Mahlenbrock requested that the song be played during his funeral in a letter he wrote to his fellow squad members July 1.
Viktoria Carter, director of public relations for Soldiers’ Angels, said she has been in contact with Keith’s managers about the proposal.
Carter said she and other members of Soldiers’ Angels have already begun calling country-and-western radio stations in various parts of the United States to request that they play “American Soldier” at 1 p.m. Wednesday.”
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