Eulogy

As y’all know,

I am the speaker at Eric’s funeral tomorrow and for the ceremony on Wednesday.

Here is the eulogy I wrote for him.

“Sergeant Kent Eric Mccloskey was a great man. He was a strong, intelligent, compassionate, and funny patriot who’s personality was one of a kind. He always knew what to say to make people laugh, regardless of the situation at hand. He brightened the lives of all those around him. Life in the army is hard. Eric made it lighter. He made it more fun. He filled it with smiles, laughter, and countless good times.

For Example, I remember one night in Iraq, around 2 in the morning, I got a knock on the door of my room. I got out of bed, and opened the door, still half-asleep. And before I knew it, I was being covered in Silly String. I wasn’t awake enough to realize what was going on. And by the time I realized that I’d been Silly Stringed, Eric had already made it halfway back to his room, cackling maniacally in that familiar way he did. And what could I do but laugh?

Eric brought about many traditions in the S-6 shop. Like Joke of the Day, and how the user needs a new hard drive, no matter what the problem actually was. If the user couldn’t check his email — he needed a new hard drive. If the user couldn’t print — he needed a new hard drive.

In a way, Eric was a teacher – he inspired us all to be better. I know *I* looked up to him. He was a good soldier, a great friend, an excellent husband to his wife Ashley and an even better father to his two little girls, Jaden and Jocelynn. Eric loved his little girls. They were his life. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the following straight from Eric “More than anything in this world, I love my daughters.”

The truth is, words cannot do Eric justice. I can only say that the world is a sadder place without him. We must remember that the Bible says “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

I would like to read a poem now. It’s called “Do not stand at my grave and weep”

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I did not die

Eric, we will always love you, and we will always hold you in our hearts with the warmest of memories. You are sorely missed. Rest in peace.“

~Bruce