Sorry it's been so long since I last posted: it's been a pretty full week! Yesterday was Memorial Day and this year it was a different experience for me. The difference was the life of Staff Sergent Eric Thomas Duckworth, who was killed in Iraq on October 10 of last year.
Eric's older brother, Andy, is a good friend of mine and through him and church I got to know Eric. We would all hang out from time to time when Eric was back in town. I especially remember hanging out with him at David and Busters and playing paintball. Needless to say, our team dominated at paintball with Eric providing strategy and leadership for us.
When Eric died he was twenty days short of turning 27, due home the next month, and left behind a wife, several children and an amazing family. I had the opportunity of attending a memorial service for him at Custer Road UMC (which was only one of many) and the place was packed! He was very loved and respected. He is very much missed.
Eric's brother, Andy, and his wife Amy were nine months pregnant when Eric was killed. All of the sonograms they had experienced told them the baby was going to be a girl. When the baby was born, however, out came a boy! Their lovely son (who I got to see again just few days ago!) is named Eric. Beautiful!
Certainly, I could post so much more about this but suffice to say, even though I had a lot of fun hanging out with good friends and family yesterday, relaxing on the lake, riding jet-skis, getting seriously sunburned even after numerous applications of sunscreen, etc., Eric was never far from mind.
Thank you for your service, Eric, we miss you!
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