Eulogy

**A FINAL LESSON FROM A FALLEN HERO **
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I took time out from politics today to attend the funeral of Eric Herzberg, Jr., of Severna Park, Maryland. Herzberg, 20, a proud Marine, was killed in Iraq 10 days ago. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. It was a glorious fall day, perhaps the last warm day of the season. It was a privilege to be present as this young Marine was laid to rest.
[FONT=Arial]I asked his grandfather how long Eric had wanted to be a Marine. “Ten, fifteen years-since he was a little boy,” he said. One of Eric’s high school friends, riding on the bus to the gravesite remarked, “Man, that boy loved this country and died doing what he believed was right.” Others, clutching their Kleenex, nodded. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]As we think about our country’s future and the challenges ahead, I think of people like Eric. Most of our fallen heroes may not have gone to Harvard or Yale, but I would bet that they had a greater sense of professionalism and dedication to principle than most politicians in Washington. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Eric’s father shared this tribute to his son with me. He gave me permission to share it with you: [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]"I’m Eric Herzberg, Lance Corporal Eric Herzberg’s father. Thank you all for coming here to honor Eric, especially those of you who traveled great distances. We are humbled by the show of support and love for our son. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]I would especially like to thank Kevin Kavanagh for being here today. Kevin’s son, also named Eric, also 20 years old and also from Severna Park, was also killed in Iraq last month. Kevin has been a tremendous source of support this week. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]We are here to pay our last respects and to honor Eric. The word “honorable” has at least 10 different meanings in the dictionary. I think almost all of them fit Eric but this one is my favorite: [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]A keen sense of ethical conduct: [FONT=Arial][FONT=Arial]INTEGRITY[/FONT]. Describing one whose word, once given, is a guarantee of performance. [/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]We received the news of our sons’ death with shock and then uncontrollable grief. We’ve cried for him many times each day, at the most unexpected thoughts or memories. Eric, when I think of why we cry so hard for you-- [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]It’s not because you are in pain. We know that now you are at peace now. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]It’s not because you were unprotected and alone when you died. Not only were you with your friends, your brothers, but you had legions from across America praying for you. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]We cry for you not because you were unprepared. You had the best training in the world, the best equipment, and the best leadership. And you prepared yourself by deepening your relationship with the Lord who made you. I believe you knew how temporary this world is and you prepared yourself for the next world by reading His word every night. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]And we certainly don’t cry because we think of you as a victim. The victims right at this moment are us–your friends and family, particularly your mother Gina, your sister Katie and your brother and best friend Matthew. We feel almost immobilized with grief right now - but we know you would not want us to remain in this state too long. We know that you want us to continue to serve others as you did. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]No, we don’t cry for you because of those things. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]We cry for you because of the huge sense of loss we feel, which is also felt by our community of family and friends. And we grieve because of all those whose lives you now won’t touch here on earth. Eric, we all needed your presence here. Today we feel that sense of loss for what you won’t accomplish on this earth. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Yet still, through all this, we remember the Marine with compassion who turned thoughts of hate and division into love, affection and unity–one Iraqi at a time. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]We remember the son who always spoke the truth, and can help heal wounds–even those within his own family. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]We remember the friend who is always loyal and faithful. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]And the spiritual warrior who never shied away from necessary battles but always brought his faith and humanity with him. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Eric, we cry because we know you would have been a dad who would have raised kids just like you. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Yes, we came here to honor you, Eric, but we had it all backwards. It is you who have honored us. We feel honored just to have known you as long as we did, and to have seen the example of your life. You were tested under the most trying of circumstances and your character, integrity and never went unnoticed. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]“Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]I know you are wearing it well son. Goodbye for now. We love you." [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]There is nothing one can add to the words of a grieving father, except to say that we owe it to these young men and women and their families to accept nothing less than victory against the dark, evil forces the rejoice every time a young Marine is killed. [/FONT]

Touching and tragic.

I heard this on the radio driving to an inspection this morning. I almost lost it.

Very difficult to read without choking up.

God Bless our Armed Forces and their families.

Two words;
John Kerry

May the last thing he sees before an al Quaida puke gouges out his eyes are his two daughters being raped, then beheaded.:twisted:

Did I really say that?:roll:

James,

That is a tad too far over the top, even for you. Perhaps you should rethink your post.

Yes…you’re right. I will delete it…not because it is not the way I feel, right now, but because I don’t necessarily want a visit from the FBI, tonight.:wink:

I have a hard time believeing that anyone who watched the comments and knows Kerry’s speaking style and typical topics of derision, did not get that he was talking about Bush, not the troops.

Interpret as you will - many people will willfully misinterpret the remarks for partisan reasons or because of a personal animus against the speaker. If you think a decorated soldier would belittle the intelligence of other soldiers, I think you are mistaken.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLuMWiQ6r2o

Perhaps someone can review this tape and find some kind of a joke that was directed toward the president instead of the troops. I cannot.

Jae;

I can not express my feelings to this enough to compensate for that kind of loss to the Parents of this bold Soldier, and I think what you did was very thoughtful of you and adequately acknowledgeable for appreciation of your respects.

Having had my own son come back from that horror place, was a blessing and would wish it to happen to everybodyelse.

This Soldier in my book is a Hero and forever will be thought of.

Marcel :frowning: :frowning: :frowning:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rWXrbNKWcg&mode=related&search=

http://johnmacleanmusic.com/LetterHomeWeb.mov

Joseph,

I joined the Army when I was 17-years old and “celebrated” my 18th, 19th, and 20th birthdays in South East Asia in the years of 1967, 1968, and 1969.

I will be 58-years old this March but at 17-years of age I had the Honor and distinction of being the “Youngest Green Beret” in the history of the United States Army. To this day the record still stands.

When I returned from Viet Nam {June 03, 1969} I was less than 90-days past my “teen age years”. After my return, I had the displeasure and disgust of watching a young John Kerry appear on television and call his fellow American soldiers “baby killers, rapists, murderers, and village burners.” I will admit that he did not call us stupid or uneducated.

To call this self-promoting scum bag piece of sh-t, a “decorated soldier” is far from the truth. Many of the men who served with him refused to endorse him in his run for the presidency. His own crew-mates called him a liar, a coward, and a traitor to his country.
They explained how *they were eyewitnesses to his blatantly false so-called “heroics.” *

The doctor who “treated” his so-called “wound” was disgusted with him. He explained that it was less then the “pin prick of a rose thorn” and that it looked self-inflected. The men who served with him said that they were unaware of any type of wound what so ever!

Kerry’s so-called “combat film” was staged and it just shows him walking along a path in the “jungle” {More like woods near a river.}

The freaking camera was set on a tripod!!! Anyone who has ever been in combat will tell you that a nice leisurely promenade filmed by a tripod mounted camera does not constitute “combat footage.”

Oh…bye the way…not a shot was fired.

So the facts are that on more than one occasion John Kerry has insulted and ridiculed American Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines.

His comments are a disgrace to our nation and dishonors the memories of the fallen and of the brave men and women who serve our country. Most especially the young Marine mentioned here.

I have a nephew who is serving at Camp Falcon which is south if Baghdad. What he thinks about John Kerry cannot be posted here.

PS:
The 1st photo was taken of me on my first leave in two years. I was at the airport on my way back to Viet Nam.
The 2nd photo {me kneeling} was taken after a fire fight. I cannot show you what I am kneeling in front of.

Sgt Carrio, 1st Leave in Two Tours.jpg

Sgt. Frank Carrio (Small).jpg

Jae!

Thank you for posting this tribute to one of America’s Finest…

I pray for all of our service men and women each and every day. It is the least that we as Americans can do to Honor them as they so richly deserve.

All else pales in comparison to the sacrifices, and hardship that they endure on a daily basis.

May God bless them all.

Jae-

My heartfelt condolences go out to Eric’s family. They got the news that I feared getting this past year while my son served in Iraq. Eric represents the finest kind of American - one that unselfishly gave all for all of us. Doctors and Nurses serve patients every day. Teachers serve classes full of students. Police and law enforcement officials serve entire cities. Our Armed Forces serve everyone of us all day every day. My respect and gratitude grows daily for them. Unfortunately, we live in a society that sometimes takes their contribution too lightly. May this war end quickly and I pray that they all come home safely.

Jae,
Thanks for sharing that.
Very humbling

Carla

Frank,
with all due respect, I believe that the destinction belongs to Jack Idema
who became the youngest Green Beret in American History at the age of 18.
From chapter 1, “The Tiger Roars”
Carla

Please accept my apologies for using those “two words” I did not mean to turn this thread into a commentary on the likes of that man. The depths of disdain in which I hold this person and all those who stand as his apologists cannot be measured.

Rest assured that there are millions of us up here north of the border who are as proud of your troops and the job they are doing in Iraq as we are of our own and the job they are doing in Afghanistan. Unfortunately that is not an opinion that is popular with the press either here or in the United States of America so you will never hear it.

May God bring our troops home VICTORIOUS and alive.

May God Bless our Armed Forces and their families.