I am speaking with an old friend of mine who is the soldier's father. I am lending him this post to say the following:
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Eric was loved by all of us and he died for his beliefs. He wanted to join the military because he loved his country. He couldn't wait to wear his uniform in church for the first time coming home. He had been wearing that uniform for three or four days at camp and on the bus ride home. The family had to douse him and the uniform in cologne before we headed to church. That still makes us laugh. He was a true Christian. He even disliked tatoos but to make a statement he put a simple Christian cross on his shoulder. He treated everyone as an equal as he would want others to treat him. He loved everyone. He was so forgiving that he probably forgave the person who killed him because he was so loving and forgiving. We found it hard to see him in the military because he couldn't even step on a cricket. He didn't even raise his voice, never mind fight with people. He said he would never raise his hand against those he loved. But, he loved to run, do pushups, target shoot, camp and do other outdoor activities and he joked that he couldn't believe that people would pay him to do these things.

Thank you Sam for your compassion and time for putting together this thread.

Respectfully,

Brian Caldwell

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