https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/california-based/brendan-j-looney/ The latest user comments on Brendan J. Looney en-us https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c190441 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c190441 My mother was recently buried there and so I had the rest of the day to also visit many other sites and saw Joshua's. He didn't die in vain. I didn't know him but he gave his life in the struggle against oppression and he was at the same time defending our homeland. War and death are never hoped for but brave young people like Joshua commit to service and duty and unfortunately make the ultimate sacrifice against those in the world who desires to subjugated others. Thank you Joshua for protecting my family and all of us here at home from those abroad who wish us harm. And thank you Cathy Whitaker for raising an honorable young man. May he Rest In Peace until the coming of our Lord and may you have hope and confidence in his salvation. May GOD be with you and comfort you in the memory of a love lost. John 15:13. There is no greater gift than to sacrifice ones life for his fellow man Tue, 16 May 2017 12:08:05 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c161735 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c161735 Josh was my 'battle buddy' in Basic and Advanced Infantry Training. We went to Airborne school and a big part of the Q-Course together. I was terribly saddened to hear he was Killed in Action and lamented the fact that over a year had passed before the news reached me. I'll never forget the time he fell off an obstacle at Fort Bragg and hit every piece of timber in the area on the way down. He had blood coming out of his ears but refused to quit. Cadre had to force him to accept medical attention. I'll never forget how bad his feet stank, either... I hope Josh's Mother has been able to find some solace in Josh's sacrifice. I think of Josh whenever I hear Pericles' Funeral Oration: “And if a test of worth be wanted, it is to be found in their closing scene... For there is justice in the claim that steadfastness in his country's battles should be as a cloak to cover a man's other imperfections; since the good action has blotted out the bad, and his merit as a citizen more than outweighed his demerits as an individual. But none of these allowed either wealth with its prospect of future enjoyment to unnerve his spirit, or poverty with its hope of a day of freedom and riches to tempt him to shrink from danger. No, holding that vengeance upon their enemies was more to be desired than any personal blessings, and reckoning this to be the most glorious of hazards, they joyfully determined to accept the risk, to make sure of their vengeance, and to let their wishes wait; and while committing to hope the uncertainty of final success, in the business before them they thought fit to act boldly and trust in themselves. Thus choosing to die resisting, rather than to live submitting, they fled only from dishonour, but met danger face to face, and after one brief moment, while at the summit of their fortune, escaped, not from their fear, but from their glory.” "So died these men... You, their survivors, must determine to have as unfaltering a resolution in the field, though you may pray that it may have a happier issue. And not contented with ideas derived only from words of the advantages which are bound up with the defence of your country… you must reflect that it was by courage, sense of duty, and a keen feeling of honour in action that men were enabled to win all this, and that no personal failure in an enterprise could make them consent to deprive their country of their valour, but they laid it at her feet as the most glorious contribution that they could offer.” SAH DOL Mon, 23 Jun 2014 08:29:28 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c121118 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c121118 Its been six years since Joshua passed. Please take comfort in the hope of the resurrection that's promised at(John 5:28, 29"...he will call all those in the memorial tombs sill hear his voice and come out..."What a wonderful time that will be! Jehovah also promised no more wars (Psalms 46:9)...all wars will cease to the extremities of the earth Sun, 26 May 2013 04:06:13 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c40194 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c40194 A bunch of young people that die in vain....so that the elite can get richer...Sad but true. Dont let your loved ones fall for the lie that we re fighting for freedom, otherwise they will come home in a body bag. Sat, 23 Oct 2010 05:20:54 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c17130 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c17130 many young men from long beach have died in wars.now josh joins them all. god bless josh, and his family. he is a true hero. wilson carroll Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:56:14 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c17058 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c17058 I did not know Joshua but I Know him. His is a life dedicated to country and Service. The tears we shed for him are also fo all those who wear the uniform. Please accept our thanks for his sacrifice and know that there is silence of respect across our Land. God Bless Joshua ,his Family and fellow patriots. Less we forget! Love Bob Beall Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:56:48 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c9062 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c9062 Josh was like my second son when he was a young teen. My son, Mike and Josh were best friends back then and Mike looked on Josh as his Big Brother and Protector. Mike was 9, Josh was 14 when Josh lived on our street. I never worried where they went or who they would run across, as long as Josh was there. Mikey considered himself Josh's little brother. We had many fun times in the backyard at family BBQ's, Mike spending the night at Josh's house, both of them pulling pranks at my cousin Claudia's house on Ryann, Mike's sister. Josh and Mike playing hockey in the street (Josh's mom always was goalie). Josh went everywhere on those skates. I don't think I ever saw him off skates for four years straight. My son idolized Josh. He still does. Our hearts were broken when we heard the news. He will always be in our hearts and thoughts. Josh's heart was huge, his presence took over the whole room when he entered. We will always and forever love our friend Joshua R. Whitaker. The MacGillivray Family, Jan, Steve, Mike and Ryann Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:16:11 -0800 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c191 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/joshua-r-whitaker/#c191 The children of First Lutheran church SAY Yes center in Long Beach have made a Memory Stone memorial for Joshua and are praying for his family and friends. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:19:17 -0700