Fallen Marine's Last Letter.

COSteve · Post by **COSteve** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:17 pm

This is a text of the letter Sgt William C. Stacey wrote in case he didn't make it. He was all of 23 and completing his 5th tour in Afghanistan with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force at the time of his death last Tuesday. This letter demonstrates the true strength of the American Fighting Man, and the strength of the America ideal for fostering it. We will never be defeated as long as we all remember and understand the dedication to a higher goal than ourselves, that this young Marine understood. May He Rest In Peace as he has earned it with his Honor, his Dedication, and his Blood.

"My death did not change the world; it may be tough for you to justify its meaning at all. But there is a greater meaning to it. Perhaps I did not change the world. Perhaps there is still injustice in the world. But there will be a child who will live because men left the security they enjoyed in their home country to come to his. And this child will learn in the new schools that have been built. He will walk his streets not worried about whether or not his leader's henchmen are going to come and kidnap him. He will grow into a fine man who will pursue every opportunity his heart could desire. He will have the gift of freedom, which I have enjoyed for so long. If my life buys the safety of a child who will one day change this world, then I know that it was all worth it.

Semper Fidelis means always faithful. Always faithful to God, Country and Corps. Always faithful to the principles and beliefs that guided me into the service. And on that day in October when I placed my hand on a bible and swore to defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, I meant it."

Pardon me as I wipe a tear from my eye.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:28 pm

God's Speed, Leatherneck....

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:37 pm

BlaineG wrote:God's Speed, Leatherneck....

Amen.

Boreman · Post by **Boreman** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:50 pm

Rest well Marine,the line has held,RIP. Hand salute !!!!!!!

gak · Post by **gak** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:56 pm

Yes, truly our finest. RIP. Thanks Steve.

Post by **Hobie** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:21 pm

Thanks Steve.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:40 pm

Kinda restores your faith in the current generation, doesn't it...

win38-55 · Post by **win38-55** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:46 pm

Semper Fi Marine, This is what set's us apart from our enemy's, Men like this.
Rest well my fellow Marine.

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 2:19 am

Did you know this Marine personally, or was this letter discovered somewhere in cyberspace?

COSteve · Post by **COSteve** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 9:51 am

FWiedner wrote:Did you know this Marine personally, or was this letter discovered somewhere in cyberspace?

I just ran into it. As of yesterday ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, etc. had picked up the story in one form or another. Here is a link to ABC Evening News last night about it. Just Google "fallen marine's last letter"

Rube Burrows · Post by **Rube Burrows** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:04 am

Very touching. May he Rest In Peace.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:43 am

Not sure if they all do it, but I know many have written letters like this, praying they will never be sent. But sadly some are. This one shows just why our we will be leaving this world to a younger generation that will continue to make it better. Because darn it, each and every one makes a significant change in this world.

Rest in peace Marine. You did make a difference, you did change the world.

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:52 am

BlaineG wrote:God's Speed, Leatherneck....

Amen

Mutt · Post by **Mutt** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 2:40 pm

God Bless this young man and those like him .

..................Mutt

1894c · Post by **1894c** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 6:01 pm

Hobie wrote:Thanks Steve.

thank you for sharing that... semper fi... :)

KWK · Post by **KWK** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 7:55 pm

... men left the security they enjoyed in their home country to come to his.

A most honorable young man he was.

The turd in the White House can't comprehend what this fellow was saying.

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 9:18 pm

KWK wrote:
... men left the security they enjoyed in their home country to come to his.
A most honorable young man he was.

The turd in the White House can't comprehend what this fellow was saying.

The Marine who wrote the letter was obviously a fine man of strong conviction.

As to the occassional occupants of the imperial palace, I believe that by and large, and to a man, they are absolutely tickled pink that a wave of the flag turns honest men into government suckers.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 9:59 pm

This helps restore my faith in our country. God Bless, young Marine...

KWK · Post by **KWK** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 9:55 am

FWiedner wrote:...a wave of the flag turns honest men into government suckers.

By a fifth tour, this fellow had ample time to quit. He knew for what he fought, and I deem his cause just. Whether his sacrifice will prove effective, I doubt, for it's been a badly run war. Regardless, his letter indicates he was no mere sucker.

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 2:25 pm

KWK wrote:
FWiedner wrote:...a wave of the flag turns honest men into government suckers.
By a fifth tour, this fellow had ample time to quit. He knew for what he fought, and I deem his cause just. Whether his sacrifice will prove effective, I doubt, for it's been a badly run war. Regardless, his letter indicates he was no mere sucker.

Indeed. His thoughtful letter indicates that he had put much thought into the task at hand and decided that it was well worth what he had to give. His decision to make, and his alone.

He was a man who knew where he stood and knew what he he was willing to do to stand there.

Nothing but respect for him.

COSteve · Post by **COSteve** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 2:30 pm

FWiedner wrote:
KWK wrote:
FWiedner wrote:...a wave of the flag turns honest men into government suckers.
By a fifth tour, this fellow had ample time to quit. He knew for what he fought, and I deem his cause just. Whether his sacrifice will prove effective, I doubt, for it's been a badly run war. Regardless, his letter indicates he was no mere sucker.
Indeed. His thoughtful letter indicates that he had put much thought into the task at hand and decided that it was well worth what he had to give. His decision to make, and his alone.

He was a man who knew where he stood and knew what he he was willing to do to stand there.

Nothing but respect for him.

And it says he was only 23 years old!!!!

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 11:39 pm

win38-55 wrote:Semper Fi Marine, This is what set's us apart from our enemy's, Men like this.
Rest well my fellow Marine.

Amen to that. It's a shame that the finest ones go so young. I have no doubt that young man has impacted the world around him in a manner that those that knew him, will not forget.

I cannot help but wonder what a man like that might have done had he lived to be 60.

Freedom has a price we cannot fathom.

Fallen Marine's Last Letter.

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