Remembering One of the Few and Proud

This country lost Eric Freeman, a 20-year-old Marine, on Monday. The last time I saw Freeman, he and his girlfriend stopped by to visit my son, Brett, but he was at work. Eric had just returned from his second deployment in Iraq. We talked about the war, the good things and the bad things there. He didn’t mention earning a Purple Heart. Very upbeat, he was getting ready for a third deployment.

It dawned on me that this kid was now a decorated combat veteran with a fiancee and a plan to use the GI Bill to become a teacher when he finished his time in the service.

We all lost Eric in an automobile accident as he was returning to his base at Twentynine Palms. His parents have lost a son, his fiancee an entire future, my son a lifelong friendship, the Marine Corps an outstanding lance corporal, and myself a friend that I’m sorry to say I only recently had gotten to really know. God bless you, Eric. You will forever be in our thoughts and prayers.

Brian Hessman

Thousand Oaks