How I Will Remember Mark…

When I think of Mark, there are two words that come to mind: Passion and Protector.

Passion comes to mind because he had such a fervor for living. Nothing was ever toned down. Everything was very intense. When he found something in life he liked – he went after it and mastered it. Whether it be surfing or snowboarding or hockey or football or whether it was fighting for his country, he gave everything he had to the things that were important to him.

Mark and I shared a love for the outdoors, and I loved to go skiing, hiking and backpacking with him. Mark was so happy when he was outdoors ….he was truly in his element. I will always remember this one particular camping trip we took together. It was actually my first backpacking trip so Mark showed me the ropes. He had recently taken an outward bound course so he was well prepared to take me and a friend backpacking in the mountains near Breckenridge. What I remember most about that trip is how Mark set up camp for us and got the campfire lit. It was hard to keep it going, though, because there wasn’t much wood around – mainly just small sticks. Mark had to keep blowing on the fire and fanning it to keep it going. But he was determined not to let that fire go out. And amazingly he kept it going for hours until we decided to go to sleep.

So that’s the other word that comes to mind for me when I think of Mark: Protector. He protected me on that camping trip. And he protected his country and all the people he loved through his service in the Marine Corps in Iraq.

As a nation, we must have the courage to face our enemies and the threats they pose. Mark had this courage. He fought to keep us safe from harm. He gave his life - the ultimate sacrifice - so that you and I could benefit from a safer world. He is a hero.

Even now I know he’s up there protecting and watching over our family. And I know he’ll be up there protecting and watching over my little baby when it’s born.

All in all Mark, I want to thank you for everything you’ve brought to this life in such a short time. I want to thank you for keeping that fire going on that chilly evening in the mountains. I want to thank you for sharing your passion for life and your love for the great outdoors. I want to thank you for fighting for our country to keep us safe. I want to thank you for the greatest sacrifice that anyone can make. You truly are a hero. I love you.