My Son Our Sons

Saint Paul, Minnesota Chapter

"We Need Not Walk Alone"

In Memory of Corporal Daniel Gunther
13 January 1969 - 18 June 1993

Buci, Bosnia (near Sarajevo) 18 June 1993:

While on Observation Duty in the turret of his Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), with no doubt as to his United Nations identity, Daniel was attacked with an Anti Tank Rocket near Buci, Bosnia. The rocket struck him directly, then exploded on the turret cover only inches behind him. This was clearly an un-provoked attack of a Canadian Peacekeeper on a humanitarian mission in Bosnia.

This poem was written by Carol Isfeld in 1992, on the birthday of her son Mark. Mark departed for the Balkans two months later and was killed on 21 Jun 1994 while removing mines in Croatia. He was serving with 1 Combat Engineer Regiment on his third UN tour. Carol has dedicated her poem to all peacekeepers, and since having made contact with us, most especially to Daniel and Mark.

My Son - - - - Our Sons

You are going away my son,
For reasons only God can understand.
We're told you're trying to keep the peace
With our hurting fellow man.

I see my baby leaving soon
For an impossible situation.
That's my personal understanding
For this very troubled nation.

They have been warring for decades.
Now they're killing each other.
Where does all the hate begin
To make us want to kill a brother.

I know that each of our sons
Will make a friend with someone there.
They are taking love from home;
It will show them how we care.

People, when taken separately,
Will be helped by each of you.
Maybe something will rub off
From what you're trained to do.

In order to stop the ache at night
I pray you're safe where're you trod,
And place all of you in loving hands
To walk side by side with God.

I love you - - - - - mom

~Carol M. Isfeld 14 August 1992

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