Yesterday, Laura Ingraham attended the funeral at Arlington National Cemetery of Eric Herzberg, Jr. of Severna Park, Maryland — a 20-year old Marine killed 10 days ago in Al Anbar province while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Laura emailed the tribute his father gave at the funeral:
We received the news of our sons’ death with shock and then uncontrollable grief. We’ve cried for him many times each day, at the most unexpected thoughts or memories. Eric, when I think of why we cry so hard for you —
It’s not because you are in pain. We know that now you are at peace now.
It’s not because you were unprotected and alone when you died. Not only were you with your friends, your brothers, but you had legions from across America praying for you.
We cry for you not because you were unprepared. You had the best training in the world, the best equipment, and the best leadership. And you prepared yourself by deepening your relationship with the Lord who made you. I believe you knew how temporary this world is and you prepared yourself for the next world by reading His word every night.
And we certainly don’t cry because we think of you as a victim. The victims right at this moment are us – -your friends and family, particularly your mother Gina, your sister Katie and your brother and best friend Matthew. We feel almost immobilized with grief right now — but we know you would not want us to remain in this state too long. We know that you want us to continue to serve others as you did.
No, we don’t cry for you because of those things.
We cry for you because of the huge sense of loss we feel, which is also felt by our community of family and friends. And we grieve because of all those whose lives you now won’t touch here on earth. Eric, we all needed your presence here. Today we feel that sense of loss for what you won’t accomplish on this earth.
Yet still, through all this, we remember the Marine with compassion who turned thoughts of hate and division into love, affection and unity — one Iraqi at a time.
We remember the son who always spoke the truth, and can help heal wounds — even those within his own family.
We remember the friend who is always loyal and faithful.
And the spiritual warrior who never shied away from necessary battles but always brought his faith and humanity with him.
Eric, we cry because we know you would have been a dad who would have raised kids just like you.
Yes, we came here to honor you, Eric, but we had it all backwards. It is you who have honored us. We feel honored just to have known you as long as we did, and to have seen the example of your life. You were tested under the most trying of circumstances and your character, integrity and never went unnoticed.
"Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him." James 1:12
I know you are wearing it well son. Goodbye for now. We love you."
The Washington Post report on Eric Herzberg started with a quote from his mother, who the AP reports had tried to talk him out of becoming a Marine, but who respected his decision to follow his calling:
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our wonderful Eric, yet we are so incredibly proud of him. He was proud to be a Marine and to serve his country, which he loved dearly. He was a happy, quiet young man with a deep compassion for others and a deep faith in God. . . . "
On his mother’s car was a more succinct message in the form of two bumper stickers: "My Son Is A US Marine," and "My Son Defends Our Freedom." . . . .
Family members described Herzberg as having a burning sense of patriotism, even when the family lived in Canada for several years before moving to Severna Park.
"He was very proud and very adamant about being an American . . . which is one of the reasons he joined," his uncle said. . . .
Herzberg was "deeply spiritual," said his maternal grandfather, William Barnhurst, and was raised Roman Catholic. That faith guided his decision to join the Marines and helped him convince his mother of the surety of his vocation.
"Mom, I’m so happy," he told his mother by phone from boot camp at Paris Island, S.C., from which he graduated last October. "This is what I want to do."
There is a guestbook you can sign. In it, Eric Herzberg’s father wrote that “I will forever miss my son but I find comfort in the knowledge he is at peace and that our eternal Father needed him.” And then he provided a contact link.
Laura Ingraham ended her email as follows: “There is nothing I can add to the words of a grieving father, except to say that we owe it to these young men and women and their families to accept nothing less than victory against the dark, evil forces that rejoice every time a young Marine is killed.”