CATAGORIES: COMMENTARY,FAMILY,HARTFORD,History,INSURANCE,IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN,MILITARY,REST IN PEACE,SMALL CUBICLE INSURANCE COMPANY — Yarbz @ 6:30 am

This was on our home page this morning. I think it’s a very nice thing to do. Only the names have been changes to protect their identitiy and certain peoples employment…
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A Message from [Leader of SCIC]

I have been a part of this wonderful organization since 1992, and over these almost 20 years, I have become convinced that there is something very special – even extraordinary – about the SCIC family. If it’s possible for an organization to have a spirit, I believe we do. It is carried in the hearts of more than 30,000 employees who feel an unusual connection, an attachment almost, to the organization. It is extraordinary, and it is one of the elements that make working here so very exceptional.

I’m sorry to share with all of you the sad news that one of our own has lost one of her own in service to our country. We learned that Ben Osborn, the son of Beverly Osborn of our Glens Falls, New York office, was killed in service in Afghanistan. Ben’s funeral service will be held later today. I know that all of you will feel deeply for the entire Osborn family as they mourn the loss of their son.

I recognize that there may be other members of employees’ families who have served and been lost. If you have lost a family member in active service, please send me a comment through this link, and we will post the names of others who have died serving our country so that we can recognize them all.

I also want to embrace a tradition that began during World War I but that carried throughout the wars of the 20th century. Flags were displayed from homes, businesses, schools and churches to indicate, through the use of a blue star on the flag, each active service member in the U.S. military. If a family received notification that their loved one had been lost, the star was changed to a gold star.

For the next year, our company stationery will be printed with a small star at the bottom of the page. The star will have no explanation, but it won’t need one. We will all understand that it is a silent recognition of Ben’s and others’ remarkable service, and it will serve as a daily reminder to all of us – about the service of all young men and women who stand in harm’s way every day.

My wife, [Leader-in-law], and I extend our sincere condolences to the entire Osborn family and to other families who have lost loved ones in the service of our country, and we hope that the wonderful memories of these sons and daughters will warm their hearts.
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