. . . I wanted to reprint this in a new thread. . . Please, save the negative comments for another thread. . . this was a very touching tribute from Liz in memory of a fallen BOTL, and I'd like to see it remain here unpolluted. . . . feel free to top with a ^^^ once in a while. . . .

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At times like this it is very difficult for me to express exactly what I'm feeling. I found this poem and I think it speaks for most of us. Tony and Sara are reunited again and he is free from pain and even though it hurts to have lost him I know he is in a far better place.

God looked around his Garden and found an empty place.
He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face.

He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.
His Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.
And knew that you would never get well on earth again.
He saw your path was difficult, he closed you tired eyes,
He whispered to you "Peace be Thine" and gave you wings to fly.
When we saw you sleeping so calm and free of pain,
We would not wish you back to earth to suffer once again.
You've left us precious memories, your love will be our guide,
You live on through your children, you're always by our side.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you on the day God called you home

^^^
'nuff said.

badger

^^^^

Thanks Seth!!!

Hog

Seth Gekko

Thanks Seth...good idea...lets keep this thread a non confrontational(sp) one...

Thanks, Seth

God Bless Tony & Sara,
and all their family and friends.

Thank you Seth. Great idea. And great poem.

Very appropriate Seth, thanks!
Liz, you have touched so many BOTL/SOTL with your poem that says soo much about what Tony stood for here on the boards. I personally want to thank you for writing such a touching poem. As an officer of OpFTH, we know Tony miis in a happier place now, and he will always be part of OpFTH.

Keith

(Thank you Seth for recreating the thread)


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At times like this it is very difficult for me to express exactly what I'm feeling. I found this poem and I think it speaks for most of us. Tony and Sara are reunited again and he is free from pain and even though it hurts to have lost him I know he is in a far better place.
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Liz, the poem is beautiful.

I feel a little awkward posting this, because I didn't know him. So many people have said such positive & loving things about Tony, I felt I should try to learn a little about him, so I followed every link I could find. While reading about an update to his condition back on 11/9, this portion hit me hard:

"He talks about Sara, and how much he misses her. He
is scared and not sure what to do. There are pictures
of Sara, their wedding, and their dogs around the
room, and he knows Sara and his dog Charlie are gone."

I have a wife, 2 kids, and 2 dogs. Without thinking about it a picture formed in my mind of laying in a hospital bed, in pain, with their pictures around me, knowing I would never see them again. I just sat there for 10 minutes feeling nothing but intense sorrow. Beside the physical pain, I can't imagine the emotional pain he was feeling. The reason I bring this up, is I believe what Liz wrote is true, and maybe even more of a blessing than we think:


Tony and Sara are reunited again and he is free from pain.


I'm sorry I never got to meet Tony. I hope he knows what a positive effect his life had on those around him. I hope people keep posting their positive experiences with Tony, so that even though he is no longer with us here on earth, new people (like me) will get a chance to read about him, and learn from him, for a long time to come.

Tony was a very kind human being, talented writer, and close friend.

He was also generous & would share what little he had. In addition to cigars, many a botl/sotl on these boards (and military abroad) received cd's and handmade gifts (magnets, boxes, etc.) from Tony.

We exchanged pleasantries almost every day. He was as expressive and funny when you spoke to him as he was in his writings. Tony and Sara, whom I didn't know, had no children, but they imparted plenty of love on their friends and on their dogs.

He is missed.

Next time one feels like harsh words, think about Tony.
A smile will ensue.

Thank you for the poem, Liz.

thank you so much Seth! And to everyone - I didn't write this poem - I went on google to search for words that I couldn't convey myself. I'm not good at times like these and I found others who were and I found the poem and it fit and spoke to my heart and I posted it. I'm just glad Tony is made whole again and is reunited with Sarah. Rest in peace both of you.