FirebaseD...
1st and foremost my gratitude is to you for introducing to us, the life of your son!

When I jumped aboard the crossfireforum, I was battling a disease that forced me to retire for a bit (I am well now). This place became my online home, "my block"... work place... at times, battle grounds over moral territories...and lastly a refuge.

I met alot of good people here... and befriended with 6 or 7 members... and this is how and when I was introduced to the life of Christopher Edward Mason.

Initially, I did not know what connection you had with "Chris Mason". However, I did know there was some a very friendly bond between the 2 of you. At one point I thought "Chris Mason" was FirebaseD until the math didn't add up... especially when you stated you were not AND a VET from the Viet Nam era.

Ok... so Chris wasn't FirebaseD. So more than a year had past, during which I would visit your: http://imageevent.com/firebase... see the updates and videos... they were always informative and entertaining... and the photos left me with always the same question... who is this guy "Chris Mason" This kid "over there" defending this Nation... it was like a 'where's Waldo" for me...

The photos project such a powerfully spirited person. A person who paused his life, a Professional Bull Fighting career... a true personality to behold. A man of God and an American Soldier... and a hero to my son who followed... http://imageevent.com/firebase as well.

Then December 25th, 2006... early in the AM I logged onto this forum (after "leaving the block" for 5 months or so) to get updated with the forum... and this is when I found out the news of Soldier Chris Mason and that "Chris Mason" is FirebaseD's son... This was a double stab for me... when I broke the news to my son (16 yo, xfire1a) later that Christmas morn... he grew pensive and we decided to head out to pinelawn Long Island National Cemetery Farmingdale, NY where a close family friend who met the same fate in iraq 2004... is resting in peace.

Seeing what Chris has done through out his lifetime and defending his beliefs and country, we can only thank you, your wife and family for raising this noble soul of Honor.

By the way Brother, Christopher Mason's presence and actions here on this earth... counted!!! Through the word of God and word of mouth Chris made this a more beautiful world...

Again I/we thank Chris and his Family a world of thanks!!! (hoorah!),

josh