From a foreword by actor ROBIN WILLIAMS, who died on Monday at age 63, for “Tell My Son: A Father’s Last Letters” by Lt. Col. Mark Weber, who died June 13, 2013, at age 41:
We all eventually reach the end of our march. For some of us, the route is long. For others, the path is short. But it’s not the length of the journey that matters as much as the steps we take.
If you discovered disease was about to cut your life short, no one could rightfully judge you for dropping out of line. But for those who refuse to let an incurable illness keep them from doing their duty. For those who keep fighting, for those who live life vigorously and joyfully to the very end, we have names for those people. We call them heroes.
I had the pleasure of working with Mark during a USO tour he helped organize for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2004. At the time, he inspired me in the same way all military personnel do. Everyone who serves their country deserves respect for their personal sacrifice, and they sure get mine. But after learning of his battle with cancer, my respect for Mark grew exponentially….
Lieutenant Colonel Weber marched with purpose, humor, dignity, and grace. This book is about what drove him. It’s a look at who he was, what he believed, and what awaits his sons in their own lives. Reading it might help you advance through this world, too.
May he light the way.
<ayu
Pachofa-Unfinished 
His brilliance has light years to go…
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Yes indeed. He gave us so much laughter with his manic comedy.
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I’m sorry for Robin Williams, and wish it could have ended differently for him. On the other hand, while statistics vary, an American veteran is commiting suicide every 80 minutes or so. Others struggle with it daily. I hope the publicity surrounding Williams’ death helps to make all of us more aware of the sad realities.
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Look up Edwin Arlington Robinson’s poem : Richard Cory. We never know anothers demons.
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Indeed. the poem is more than apropos. Beyond that, “Richard Cory” was one of the poems we memorized in 8th grade, and I was surprised how much I remembered even before I looked it up.
I did just see a note in my news feed that suggested early Parkinson’s might have been involved, too. So many troubles, one on top of another.
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This has cast a light on the problem like no other seems to have done. The TV coverage has been good. But like anything else, when the shock wears off, we will forget and go about our own affairs as always.
There seem to be more veteran suicides and homicides than ever. We have three friends who opted out in that way, and I had a woman friend who killed herself. Plus the father of a good friend took that way out. I have no moral problem with it, sometimes the world becomes too much or a terminal illness is too overwhelming, but to leave your children in such a way is not admirable.
We had a pilot friend who tried to shoot himself, missed the right place and blinded himself. I often wondered what went through his mind in later years.
We know that children blame themselves when parents divorce, so think of the hurt which comes from a suicide.
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