LAST SPEECH

There is a story about loss in war where some comments to another, "We are ready for the occasional empty chair, the
fond farewell for comrades lost. But we are never, never ready for so soon."
I cannot, as your commander, in anything I say today diminish the impact of losing a friend, a member, a gentleman all at
once. In fact because we lost him so quickly, it all seems like a bad dream -- that we will wake up tomorrow and he will
be back again. The world just lost one of its own great soldier.
The pain of his death is not something that can go away with just sincere condolences or a bunch of flowers. What makes
it bearable is knowing that we are gathered here today because of the wonderful memories he left us. You all came here
and shared hours of your day because he was a loving son, a supportive brother, a loyal friend, a good man, and an
amazing commander. He left us a part of him that neither time nor even his death can ever take away.

Losing him is like losing our wings. Flying is close to impossible because the pain has crippled us. What keeps we going
is that we would be wasting our dream if we stopped flying because we have lost him. He would want us to continue
chasing our dreams bravely if he was here.

To all of us who knew him, he was always there for us. One call of his name, and he would be with you in a heartbeat.
One mention that you were in need, and he would give even his last penny. In this ever-changing world, he was our
constant. His death will never change that fact.

As I look into the crowd of people mourning for him, I find comfort in knowing that all of you love him. I find peace in
knowing that he touched your life and that you also touched his heart at some point in his life. I find happiness in knowing
that he will live on in all of your memories.  He may not have lived a perfect life, but he lived a good one. One that we
will forever cherish and we will continue to remember.

I know he would hate to see us crying for him. He would want us to cling to the beautiful memories and forgive ourselves
for whatever regrets we have. He would like us to be strong through the darkest days ahead. That is what he always does –
he gives light and strength when it seems impossible to go on.

I can never deny the pain that we carry, but I would like us to remember him as a blessing and a lesson. I want to treasure
the life he shared with us over the pain that his death has brought us.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal. Those we love don’t go away, they
walk beside us everyday. Those special memories of you will always bring a smile If only we could have you back for just
a minute like we used to do , Then we could sit and talk again having some jokes and convos. The fact youre no longer
here will always clicks a heartbeat.

Those who lives are those who are remembered, You will not vanish, You will not gone, You will never be forgotten, not
even death can interfere. Cause you will always be remembered and thus you will always live.

I’d like to read a poem, by Joyce Grenfell:

If I should die before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone
Nor, when I’m gone, speak in a Sunday voice,
But be the usual selves that I have known.
Weep if you must
Parting is hell.
But life goes on.
So sing as well.
Rest in eternal peace dear brother. You will live on forever in our hearts.