Recently my sons’ platoon lost one of their own. This young man was like a member of our family. Needless to say it hit me quite hard to lose such a young life...for what? I found myself asking, Where is God? How can God let this happen? After many tears and much reflection, I found God smack dab in the center of all this. Let me back up a bit.

On August 18th, 2010 LCpl Kevin Oratowski lost his life while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He died when his vehicle hit an IED. Weeks prior to this, somewhere back home in the states an organization called, Desert Angels, were assembling care packages for our troops. Two care packages were addressed and sent to LCpl Oratowski. Sometime weeks or even months before that, someone shared LCpl Oratowski’s name with this organization. And even before ALL that had transpired, someplace ... somewhere ... someone started an organization called , Desert Angels. Let me go back to August 18th.

After being hit by IED’s and losing one of their own, the platoon returned to their F.O.B. where they found two care packages for LCpl Oratowski “ Ski” from the Desert Angels group. Because these packages were from a 'supporting our troops' group and not family members, the young soldiers were allowed to open these care packages and to split up the contents. Please understand, Ski was like a big kid. He loved his little gizmo’s and gadgets and was a Saturday morning cartoon guy. Just a big kid at heart! There is no doubt in my mind that these care packages were nothing but hand selected by God himself for Ski. In a broken up voice, my son recounted the moment for me on the telephone a few nights ago. Tears being choked back, he said, “Mom, they were special packages. Ski would have loved them.” Inside these boxes were little army men with guns and tanks and stuff, little action figurines like Super Mario and beanie babies. The soldiers sat around the care boxes looking at the toys inside. They were able to talk about what had just happened as they reminisced about their fallen friend.

Afterwards, they each selected several of the ‘toys’ as a memento of their friend; Remembering who he was and what he stood for. We will never know why Ski’s life was taken so early but I know that God was there. He was there when he started the organization, Desert Angels. He was there when, Desert Angels, were given LCpl Oratowski’s name to send packages to. He was there weeks before, prior to August 18th, making a ‘special’ box for our boys. He knew our boys would need comfort. He knew they wouldn’t understand. He knew what they needed. It amazes me how much God loves each one of us and how doubting in faith I can be at times. Thank you God for watching over our soldiers. Thank you God for caring for each one of them. Though I may not understand Father, please help me to accept what I do not understand. I want to ask you to please take good care of Ski up there but then I just smile and laugh because I can imagine you saying the very same thing to me. I can hear you God, saying to each of us, “Please take good care of my children, I love them so much. It is very hard for me to be parted from them”.

Give Ski a hug for us God, remind him we love him and miss him and will see him soon!

Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin E. Oratowski Died August 18, 2010 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

The Desert Angels, Organization