A Letter to My Brother:

Dear Brother,

Why did you have to be a hero? Why did you not come home when you had the chance? Why did you have to be a marine? You say you would not leave your men behind. You wanted to stay with your men. Why? Why did you have to get on that helicopter? Why did there have to be a sand storm?

As I sat at the top of the stairs I tried to figure out why God had to take you, my only brother. All night I tried to put reason behind everything, until, in one moment, I realized that it was not my job to figure out why you were taken from me. I realized that I should not be asking why, but I should be saying thank you. Thank you God for giving me a brother. Not just and ordinary brother, but a great brother.

They say a brother is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, and a golden thread to the meaning of life. You were all that and more to me.

I always admired how you could make friends with your worst enemy. The way you were so bold and willing to face life head on, whether it was good or bad. You had the courage of a twenty men army and the heart of a marine. You were my best friend, my rock and my hero. I love you brother, always and forever.

Love, Amanda