The Lion and the Lamb

With all the joy surrounding Christmas, there will still remain a bit of sorrow. Usually we ask the question, "When will you be coming home?" This year, we know the answer to that question, but we also have hope in the fact that one day, we will be reunited when the rest of us come Home.

Until that day, we rejoice in the beautiful memories you left behind, your legacy of strength, and courage but most of all in the tenderness of your heart and gentleness of your spirit.



Christmas 2006, Eric and Jaxon, St. Joseph, MI

We Remember You

This blog comes in handy. On 9/11 and on Veterans Day, I use a PPT projector to display photos of Eric for my students at the private school where I currently teach World History. I show them pictures of my brave cousin and tell them about our life together, the last email we received, and the honorable sacrifice he made for our freedom. I remind them that there are people still fighting so that we can sit in a classroom and teach freely, and learn freely.

My students are never so silent. The room fills with reverence as the impact of Eric's life takes shape. And then we break the silence by singing the Marine's Hymn. Small ways to remember a great man.

As long as I live and breathe, I will tell people about you, Eric. I want them to know who you are and what you gave. I want your story to remain until the day we can retell it together.

Papa's Prayer

November 1, 2008
El Soledad Memorial for Eric Daniel Terhune

Dear Heavenly Father:

This is November, the month our forefathers have designated as a special time for Thanksgiving. . . so it is altogether fitting that we gather here today to thank you for this sacred place specifically set aside to honor those who served our country with extravagant zeal above and beyond the call of duty. Their lives serve as a reminder that freedom is not free, and that often the medium of exchange is the life's book of those we cherish dearly and love so much. So easy it is for us to take for granted all the blessings you have showered on our great nation, often taking little note of the terrible price of those blessings which are in such short supply throughout the rest of the world. Thank you, Lord, for those men of vision and wisdom who selected this beautiful site, where we are gathered today to remember all who have honorably served our country, including our precious Eric who more than self his country loved, and freedom more than life. We are especially thankful for Eric's written as well as verbal testimony affirming as a young man that he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior thus removing the sting of death which otherwise would be so very unbearable. Because of Eric's trust in you, Lord, he often stated that should it be his lot to lay down his life for his country, he had little to fear since death for the believer is simply to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.

Do we miss him? Yes, Lord, we do. But we take great comfort in your assurance as given in I Cor. 2:5, "The eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which you hath prepared for them that that love you!" Not only did Eric serve his country well, but he do so standing firm in his faith -- no matter the cost. What a great example for those of us he left behind, Lord, and for this we are especially thankful grateful today. Yes, Lord, we grieve over our great loss, but at the same time we rejoice, knowing Eric is now safely home with you after proving himself to be a great patriot and man of value, worthy to be numbered among all those other great and faithful American heroes etched in stone here today.

Last but not least, dear Lord, thank you for Capt. Gordon Topper and all others whose planning, hard work and thoughtfulness resulted in such an extraordinary honor accorded Eric, as well as his family, here today. What a great demonstration of "Semper Fi" as well as a living exhibit of how the United States Marine Corps takes care of its own! Thank you also, Lord, for each and every one here, many of whom traveled great distances to witness this noble celebration today. Grant all a safe trip home, and for those active duty Marines and other service personnel facing deployment, we urgently pray in Jesus Name for their early and safe return.

In His name we lift our prayer,

A Selfless Marine

Eric's own band of brothers gathered the funds to commemorate him at Mt. Soledad, a veteran memorial over looking the Pacific Ocean. We met there this past weekend for the dedication of the plaque. Among the awards listed and the honors given, the phrase that stood out to me the most was inscribed at the bottom and it said, "A Selfless Marine". It spoke to me about how Christlike he was: he answered the highest calling, to lay down his life for another; he drank the cup he was given and was obedient even unto death.