Friday September, 7, 2012:
Wake and Visitation: Cedar Memorial Funeral Home Chapel (near the flower shop), 4200 First Ave, NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
4:00 – 7:00 pm (Wake 4 – 4:30)
Saturday September 8, 2012:
Memorial Service: All Saints Catholic Church, 720 29th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
10:00 a.m.
Luncheon and celebration of memories following the service.
Kristi, Naomi and family,
Sewers so sorry to hear of Joshua’s passing. We no longer live in the area but will be keeping all of you in our prayers.
Joshua was an example of the type of young men we need in this world to stand for righteousness.
Blessings,
Tony and Janelle Cooper
I wanted to share another memory of Joshua…on this the day of his memorial service. Joshua spoke at a conference on counter recruitment which I organized…held in San Antonio, TX several years after his return from Iraq. He spoke on a panel, and then we interviewed him on video tape. You will find several clips of his reflections at: co.mcc.org and http://co.mcc.org/Resources/VideoClips
It was after we finished taping his interview that he got into a conversation with an African American pastor in one of our Mennonite Churches, who, believe it or not was a former Marine recruiter. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Josh and Ertell (the pastor) get into an animated discussion in which they compared Shakespearean English rhetoric and discourse with today’s hip hop rap. There is no way I could reproduce the comments…but I remember marveling at the ease with which these two men who had never met before, built a bridge between their life experiences and cultures with amazing speed…and had a great time doing it.
As a peace educator, I will always cherish and be inspired by Joshua’s story, his deep faith, and his courage. Wishing you and your family God’s peace.