Graduation Speech: Eulogy For Father

Tyler, stand up. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is my son, Tyler who was born at Fort Leonard Wood my first time Stationed here. I danced in the doctor’s office when I learned he was going to be a boy and my pride has only grown ever since. I am proud of the man you have become, Son. I still think it’s an optical illusion that you look taller than me and no, we don’t need the level again. That bubble is obviously defective.

I love you, Son.

I’m going to start talking about my family so please bear with me for a moment I have 3 brothers, 1 sister that are blood and have 2 sister-in-law’s and 1 brother-in-law who I am just as close as to them as I am my own blood.

Dad, if it wasn’t for you teaching me how to be a respectful man, times would have

I’m all certain they thought I wasn’t going to amount to anything, but I bet they all would bite their tongues now if they were here…don’t worry I didn’t send them an invite.

Besides the loneliness and missing my family which is a given. Marines are not solitary creatures. We need other Marines so the worst situation you can put a Marine in is to isolate him from other Marines. You can be stirring shit barrels in 120 degree weather and somehow have fun, or standing firewatch in the rain or freezing snow. No matter where you are and if you there are Marines you are safe and everyone takes care of each other. What I came up with is something I can without a doubt impart to you today as a final thought….about my time in the

She said, "Lord, you seem to be having a lot of trouble with this one.

What's wrong with the standard model?" The Lord replied, "Have you seen the specs on this order? She has to be completely independent, possess the qualities of both father & mother, be a perfect hostess to 4 or 40 guests at a moment's notice, run on black coffee, handle every emergency imaginable without a manual, be able to carry on cheerfully even if she is pregnant & has the flu, & be willing to move to a new location 10 times in 20 years. And, oh yes, she must have 6 pairs of hands." The Lord continued, "Don't worry, we will make other Marine wives to help her. And give her an unusually strong heart so it will swell with pride in her husband's achievement, sustain her through the pain of separation’s, beat soundly when it is overworked & tired, & be large enough to say "I understand" when she doesn't, and say, "I love you, regardless." "Lord," said the Angel, touching her arm gently, "go to bed & get some rest. You can finish this