In the Marines, once an officer earns a commission, he is bound by this conduct. Few people know this, let alone live by it better than Terry Barnich. He is the picture of impeccable behavior and commitment that goes far beyond the levels of the norm. Terry is the man that sets the standards, the man to watch and then follow. He was not an officer of the services contractually, but in heart and spirit he soars above the rest. You will be honored today with words that will try to reach your level of humanity...they just won't. It will hurt to see your loved ones mourn, I wish there was a way to take away their pain.
It is hard without you Terry, really hard to look for the next thing, whatever that might be. Today, as will every Monday, every March 6th, every holiday and certainly every single living Memorial Day, your memory and example with be vibrant. Your life granted us such privilege and we are all wanting to give back in some small way...Guide us, give us direction to do as you would have done yourself. There is no better way to honor you.
Today is your funeral mass, it is supposed to be for the people the knew and loved you, marking and rejoicing in your life and memory. It is brutal, the thought of sitting in a cold building with strangers, all of us trying our best to be brave, to remember you in a way that is standard for all...You are much more than that Terry and I would have rather been in Iraq with your friends, people that moved you to leave you life here in the US...I know they honored you properly.
Your leaving hurts and it should...I want to feel the pain of missing you, the unbearable pain. I will cry for us all, then I get up tomorrow and live by your example. I will miss you everyday and remember what it is that you gave us all...love, purpose, and significance.
Pave the way for us Terry ~ allow us to live in your light.
Yours' in arms.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment