In my previous post, I proudly posted a picture of my children posing with a handsome marine in hopes that someone would help me find him. As I zoomed in on the picture, I saw his name on his uniform, Wilks. Out of tribute, I wanted to find him so I could give him a big hug and thank him.
Without asking, my friend and former marine, Chris Hernandez, took on the task. The very next day, Chris sent me a text, “I found the Marine named Wilks.” I was so excited Igave my daughter “a thumbs up”. As I continued reading my heart sank, “Looks like he was killed while deployed in 2008, Sorry.” Tears rolled down my cheeks. My mind wandered and replayed our first meeting over and over in silence, my heart filled with sadness.
Without going into much detail about the trip, I will summarize it.
Ten of my family members traveled from the US to Lebanon in July 2006 to attend my cousins weddings. The war with Israel broke out and we were stuck in a terrible mess. Two weeks into the war, we were dropped off at 7:30 am into a massive and disorganized crowd waiting hours for the possibility to get on a US military ship to come home. We finally crossed the checkpoint where the US Embassy and Marines welcomed us. I honestly don’t remember how we got to that point but all I could see coming towards me was a young Marine with the biggest and brightest smile. He said, “You’re safe, we got you”.
I wanted to hug and kiss him but I wasn’t sure that it was good protocol. He then picked up and carried my son, Sami who was 6 years old, hi-fived my son, Daniel (13 years old at the time) and held on to Mariana’s hand (11 years old). He took them past security while my husband and I took a deep breath and got our passports/paperwork in order. It was an indescribable feeling. We took a picture to treasure that moment and according to my kids, “the Marine that saved our lives.” The picture became our 2006 Christmas Card.
Corporal Kyle Wilks, We’re sorry that no one could save your life. We will never forget you. You will always be the Marine and Angel who saved our lives and our spirits. Rest In Peace!
A special note to his mother, Mrs. Wilks: Thank you for giving up your beautiful child to serve his Country. I know that he made so many people happy that day in Beirut. His smile will live on in our hearts.
I would like to do something special to honor Corporal Kyle Wilks. How about donating toys for Christmas to children in need? Any other ideas?
Wow Go GO Manal, i did shed a tear just reading that last part. I’m sure he’s feeling your gratitude and for sure he made History . RIP Wilks .
Thanks Abbas! I’ll be calling you for the Marine Toys for Tots donations. Stay by your phone:)
This leaves a mark on my soul. Our soldiers do so many incredible things, as evidenced in this story. It broke my heart to hear this and it does so double to read it again. I would love to be a part of any effort you make to honor this and all amazing Marines. We could start a movement on FB to gather more Toys For Tots. I believe this is the Marine Christmas Toy Drive. It would be amazing to be able to take more toys in for this cause put on by and honoring our amazing soldiers. One of which is that awesome man, soldier (and writer) Chris Hernandez.
May They Be Blessed.
Stella,
He definetely made a mark on my soul. I love your FB movement idea. My friend and ex-marine, Keith, looked up a Marine Toys for Tots donation page. Be ready, I’ll be calling.
Count me in. Much gratitude to our Armed Forces.
Wow what a powerful post, you’re a great author! RIP Mr. Wilks, and thank you for your services,
Thanks Cindy! Say prayers for the family.
Wow that is a powerful sad story manal. But I thibk he was sent there by divine interception to give you guys the sense of security and peace you needed at the time. I am glad he was there. And I am sad he had to lose his life. I agree collecting toys for christmas sounds like a good idea.
Thanks for the nice note Haytham, aka Best Insurance Agent on this earth:) I will be collecting donations soon for the Marine Christmas Toys for Tots in Kyle’s memory. Stand by your phone, I will be calling 🙂
I’m sorry “your Marine” isn’t still around to see what wonderful people your kids have grown up to be. I’m sure that picture would be hanging in his wall locker. You all are right that the Marine Reserve does run the Toys for Tots each year and there is also a way to make tribute donations (more info here : http://toysfortots.org/donate/tribute-donation.asp). I also found a little more about Cpl. Wilks here http://projects.militarytimes.com/valor/marine-cpl-kyle-w-wilks/3487057.
Semper Fidelis
Thanks Keith! The toys for tots website is great. I’m getting a group of people to make donations for Christmas in Kyle’s memory. Will you be one of them?? Haha
Kyle was my first cousin and you described him perfectly. He will always be our hero.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Mindy. He made quite an impression on my family and my life. We will always honor him. Peace!!
Hi there,
I randomly came across this on FB from another friend of mine that we served together with Wilks. He was a great guy..His barracks room was next to mine and I was there with him in Lebanon while we evacuated you all out at the port there!! Excellent Marine, Excellent Man and Excellent guy to just be around! I am grateful you had the opportunity to meet him and have that blessing!!! Praying you and your family have found safety and peace! Your country is BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Thank you for sharing your story of one of our Fallen Hero’s!!!! Because of men and women like him, we are able to live FREE!!!
Tasha,
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a beautiful note. I thank you for your service and for helping us out in Lebanon. Please stay safe and come back and visit my blog:)
WOW!!! What a great story about Kyle. He was my cousin and a true hero! This warmed my heart to read! It’s nice to see stories like this about how those we know have touched lives other than our own! God Bless You!!
Chris,
What a great family Kyle has!! I’m overwhelmed by the love and nice comments from his cousins. I’m sorry about your loss and hopefully together we can keep his memory alive.
Peace and Hugs!
Kyle’s mother is my cousin and my son and Kyle were the same age and grew up together. My husband, son and I have all grieved deeply with Kyle’s passing. There is a huge void in everyone’s life that knew and loved Kyle, especially his family’s. Seeing the picture you posted and reading your story of how Kyle touched your family’s lives is a tribute to the man he was. Everything you wrote about how Kyle greeted you and your children is a true portrait of Kyle’s character. He loved children and joined the Marines to serve his Country and help people just like your family. Kyle was the all American kid who grew up to be a fine young man and honored his family, friends and Country with his dedication and love for the same. Thank you for sharing your story so others will know as well how special Kyle was to your family in your time of need. You also have given our family another story to treasure of Kyle and how he touched someones lives. God Bless! Marvella Weston Highley
Marvella,
I’m deeply sorry for your loss and thank you for writing this beautiful note about Kyle. I can only imagine the pain that you and his family have endured the past few years. My thoughts and prayers will always be with Kyle and his family. With your help and his friends help, we will succeed in keeping his memory with us thru helping others.
Once I do my research on the “Marine Toys for Tots”, I will contact you via email if that’s OK.
God Bless you and his family! Peace and hugs! Manal
Thank you so much Manal for all your efforts in setting up the “Marine Toys for Tots” in Kyle’s honor. I will look forward to hearing from you when you have the information about how to organize this special event and we will be excited to help in anyway we can. God Bless you and your family! Sending Blessings and Hugs! Marvella Weston Highley
Marvella,
You’re very welcome and thank you for all your kind comments.
I was told that collections start around the beginning of December. As I get more information, I will pass it on and write a little post.
Lots of hugs to you and your family! Manal
I dated his sister a couple of years ago. From what I learned, Kyle was a very caring and likable guy and loved his family much, as well as his country. I never had the honor of meeting him to tell him how much he’s appreciated for defending our freedom. However, I do know this…that he has and will continue to leave his mark on this world!
Tony,
Thank you so much for sharing and I hope you will take part in our efforts to keep Kyle’s memory with us.
My brother served with Kyle. Everything we have heard about Kyle was about how he would go above and beyond to put others first. My brother has pictures similar to this with a family he really took to in the Lebanon evacuation. You see inside a Big and muscular Marine is also a big heart. Kyle gave his life for others. Such a large sacrifice but one I know after hearing so much about him he would give again to save others. We are so thankful for Kyle and his family. They live here in our state and I know how proud his mom is to see Kyles memory live on in the ones he helped. What better way than to make kids smile on Christmas bc they thought they would get nothing. If you could forward to me the info I would be happy to collect toys here in our state also in Kyle’s memory. My email is proudstewartfamily@yahoo.com
Angela,
Thank you so much for the nice note. I’m sorry it’s taking a few days to respond to you. The response has been overwhelming yet amazing. I will be researching the Toys for Tots project and the scholarship then send you more information. We will definitely do something to keep Kyle’s memory with us. I will be in touch via email.
Please thank your brother for his service! Manal
Maybe someone from each state could collect for u. We could all take pictures of the donations and send them to his mom so she can see how Kyles memory is still living on. I would be happy to collect here in his home state Arkansas.
Angela Stewart, I know his mother and father would appreciate your efforts in Kyle’s honor. I am his mother’s cousin and anything that is done as a tribute to help others would be very heartwarming. Kyle loved children as I said before in my previous message and would love to know that they are continuing to benefit from his service to our Country. Thank you for caring!
Angela & Marvella,
Thank you both for your beautiful notes and suggestions. I’m ready to do the Christmas Toys for Tots drive. I have several people in Houston that are willing to help. I got the website that I will post soon. I need to get more information on the program.
I also like the scholarship idea. That’s a long term project that will keep Kyle’s memory with us for years to come.
Peace and Hugs!
Manal
I feel for you and your loss Marine. I was deployed with kyle in Afghanistan and was actually the corpsman (medic) in the vehicle behind his the night he died. Not to take away from your post but this night will forever be in my mind. When you wrote “Corporal Kyle Wilks, We’re sorry that no one was there to save your life. We will never forget you. You will always be the Marine and Angel who saved our lives and our spirits. Rest In Peace!” I assure you he wasn’t alone in his final minutes. Thank you for posting.
-Austin
Austin,
Thank you for your service! I cannot imagine what you’ve gone thru and what you still endure day to day. I didn’t know any of the details of the accident or death. I can change it to “no one could save your life”. You are our heroes. I wish I could give you a thank you hug:) Lots of love and Peace!
Manal
ps: My brother served in the Navy for 22 years:)
Dear Austin, I want to personally “Thank You” and all Kyle’s Marine Brothers did for Kyle following the explosion that took Kyle’s life. I can’t imagine how terrifying that moment was for each of you. Knowing that everything that could have been done for Kyle was done but it was not humanly possible to change the outcome despite all the efforts made by each of you who tried to save his life. As a family member the loss is felt deeply and all continue to grieve and miss Kyle everyday. Kyle’s mother is my cousin and my husband and I joined his parents and sister in North Carolina for the Memorial service held by his unit when they returned from their tour. I may have met you then and all of the members of his unit. It was a beautiful and moving service we will never forget. Seeing the faces of his friends and Marine brothers at the service told us how much sorrow there was for each one who experienced that tragic event. We continue to pray for each of you and all the troops who fight for our Country and make such a huge difference in so many lives while they serve to help others and defend our freedoms today. May God Bless you and give you peace for what you endured that dreadful night when two of your fellow Marines paid the ultimate price for our Country. Thank You for your Service and know that God placed you there to be with Kyle when his family could not.
I can’t explain the emotion of reading this story. My husband served with cpl Wilks and was with him on that convoy. I will never forget that time of my life, the emotion behind recieving the news of what happened or the Marine’s that lost their lives that day. Thank you for your story.
Bethany,
I truly appreciate you sharing your feelings. Please thank your husband for serving our country. They are our HEROES.
I hope that he’s back home with you and his family:) Manal
ps: I hope you will participate in keeping Kyle’s memory alive.
Recommend setting up a small college scholarship fund in Corporal Wilks name. I’m sure that supporters will be open to the idea of donating funds in order to honor this fallen hero. Semper Fidelis.
Great idea Sgt. Cortes. Thank you for your service! We’re very lucky to be living in this great country with people like you that sacrifice for our safety. Stay safe!
Peace and Hugs!
Suggestion: donate something that deployed soldiers can use.
What a wonderful, yet heartwrenching story
Thanks Trina! Still feeling very emotional and overwhelmed by everyone’s support.
Hugs,
Manal
I wonder if you could find his parents and personally thank them and tell them what he differ your family, what an honor it would be to know my son saved lives. To actuall know and not wonder.
Hi Gina,
I did find his family and the facebook page created for his memory. They are strong and amazing. Lots of his cousins made comments on this blog also. Feel free to stop by my fb page, Manal the go go girl and see the links. Share if you’d like. We will be doing the First Annual Marine Toys For Tots drive in Kyle’s memory. Will continue to post updates.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Manal
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt story Manal! This reminds me of how previous every life is and every moment is. God Bless. I would like to participate and support the ideas suggested in honor of Corporal Kyle Wilks.
Thank you so much for following up Caroline! I will count you in for the Toy Drive:) Hugs.
I remember him vividly, the effect he had on our morale that day was incredible . Thank you for your service and rest in peace.
This was a very moving story Manal. Thank you so much for sharing it with the world. You are using your talent of writing/storytelling to send amazing messages. Please keep it up!
This is amazing. I went to high school with Kyle and reading this makes me cry and smile. His closest friend posted it and it will spread through our class and much of the town, I’m sure. Thank you so much for sharing.
Amy,
Thank you for the nice note and I hope that you and his high school friends will be able to participate in the Toys For Tots fundraiser to keep Kyle’s memory with us. Have a beautiful week:)
Kyle was my best friend growing up. He was one of the best people I have even known and miss him every day. Thank you for your blog post about him. I know that it warmed his family’s heart just as it did mine knowing that so many people out there were touched by our Kyle.
Thanks Cortney and I’m very sorry for your loss. I’m very touched about the wonderful reaction I’ve received from his family and friends. I hope you will join us I’m keeping his memory with us. I will send more information out about The Marine Toys For Tots.
Manal
Okay, you brought me to tears. There are so many amazing soldiers fighting for freedom. I feel for you. It brought a reality to a stranger. I am thankful to all soldiers. That is a great idea to give back in his memory.
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Thanks Jill! I appreciate your kind words:)
A beautiful and sad story. I am sorry for your loss but at least you were able to meet him and he touched your lives.
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Thanks Mike! I’m glad that I was able to give his family another memory of how their son made a difference in a stranger’s life.
RIP Wilks.. Good man..:(
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Lynell,
Thank you for reading this post and commenting. Have a blessed day:)
This hits close to home for me husband is currently serving and is on his third tour. Fly high Wilks <3
Theresa,
Thank you for your comment and I pray for your husband’s safe return home. God Bless you!
My brother (now a Colonel in the Marines) served in 3 tours (Afghanistan and Qatar). This was a beautiful tribute, and so sad. I am glad he was there for you and your family. I hope his parents see this.
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Pam,
I’ve been in touch with his mother, his family and friends. I’m planning a Marine Toys For Tots drive in his memory.
Oh my gosh, this made me cry. What a beautiful memory and opportunity to share you are giving. back to him and his family. Thank you for sharing this story.
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Thank you for reading it Adelina! This is my very favorite post.
Rest in peace, honorable man…
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WOW WOW WOW…. such an incredible story!!! Breaks my heart in pieces reading that this amazing man is gone. God rest his soul…
Thanking God you got out safely! Amazing…
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Chris,
Thank you for being my biggest chearleader. I still can’t read this post without crying 🙁 I think of his mother who became my FB friend. I wish I could bring him back for her. Hugs and kisses.
This warms my heart so much! …that there are soldiers out there defending us while we sleep in warm ‘n cozy beds is one thing, but that there are soldiers who go this extra mile, with care & concern as Kyle did for you is just simply amazing! I look at his smile and read your story and I think he must’ve been one heckuva guy! His parents must so very proud!
Thank you for this story! Love!
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Amen to that Kari! Kyle will always be in our lives. We have started the “Marine Toys for Tots” in his memory and hope to keep it coming for years to come.
Very touching story…love your blog.
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Thank you Paul! I enjoy your blog as well:)