AssemblyBoard

Brothers and Sisters,

Last night as I was watching the news was both surprised and saddened by a casualty announcement from Iraq.

This morning I called a friend and confirmed what I had heard.

Abraham Simpson, son of Jim and Maria Simpson, was killed while serving in the United States Marine Corps in Iraq.  He was 19 years old.

He was an outspoken Christian with a strong testimony among the members of his unit, and the young people of his church.

Pray for Jim, Maria, and their two other sons as they pass through this time of deep sorrow.  Pray that God will sustain and encourage them.

Pray for the members of his USMC unit, that they will remember and take to heart the testimony he lived before them.

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope,
For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

(I Thessalonians 4:13-14)

Thomas Maddux

I remember Jim and Maria they will certainly be in my prayers.  Summer (absent from the body, present with the Lord. IICop5:8)

Thanks, Tom.  I just got the news from my brother, Steve.  He goes to the same church as Maria.

I remember years ago driving down Chapman in front of the McDonalds.  We saw Jim and Maria in the car just as they were bringing Abraham home from the hospital.  I was roomates with Jim for a short time and Lori keeps in touch with Maria to this day.

There is an article about the situation:

http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0,1413,203~21481~2531962,00.html# (http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0,1413,203~21481~2531962,00.html#)

From all accounts, Abraham was a godly young man.

This is a really sad story. If anyone is in contact with them, my family sends their regards.

It is indeed sad and I don't want to minimize their grief.  However, in the newspaper article, both Jim and Maria gave some really good quotes that shows they have things in perspective.  I'm proud of them as well as their son.

The great newspaper article that Dave gave us the link to is now on the ga.com website, along with some additional information about Abe.  

Services for Abe will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 27 at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills.  There will be a procession through Chino on the way to Riverside National Amphitheatre where there will be a traditional military service.  There will be a reception afterward at the church.

Our hearts and our prayers are with Jim and Maria and their family in this incredibly difficult time.  Abe's testimony is reaching many.  An article about him is in the Nov. 27th issue of World magazine, http://www.worldmag.com/displayarticle.cfm?id=9982 (http://www.worldmag.com/displayarticle.cfm?id=9982).

Govenor Schwarzenegger's statement concerning Abraham:

http://www.governor.ca.gov/state/govsite/gov_htmldisplay.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1888210957.1101063979@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddddmekkfkcfngcfkmdffidfog.0&iOID=59635&sTitle=Governor+Schwarzenegger+Issues+Statement+on+Death+of+Chino+Marine+Lance+Cpl.+Abraham+Simpson&sFilePath=/govsite/press_release/2004_11/20041116_GAAS51204_Marine_Simpson.html&sCatTitle=Press+Release (http://www.governor.ca.gov/state/govsite/gov_htmldisplay.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1888210957.1101063979@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddddmekkfkcfngcfkmdffidfog.0&iOID=59635&sTitle=Governor+Schwarzenegger+Issues+Statement+on+Death+of+Chino+Marine+Lance+Cpl.+Abraham+Simpson&sFilePath=/govsite/press_release/2004_11/20041116_GAAS51204_Marine_Simpson.html&sCatTitle=Press+Release)

While driving down the 405 near LAX tuesday I noticed a bumper sticker' Darwin Loves You ' and a second one on the same car said "In Loving Memory of L.Cpl Abraham Simpson" small world huh? I thought this must of been David M maybe?