An inappropriate little poem for you

You were our wild card, full throttle

Intense and loud, opinions strong

The man who did it all and knew it all

Genuine and real, absolutely no fear

You loved to be offensive, unorthodox

It made people squirm

“That’ll make a turd”

“Shitheads”

“Fartknockers”

Missing people “gone pooping”

Middle fingers and F-bombs

A bottle of Tito’s in your arm

Potty mouthed with a literal toilet wound

Ohio home grown corn on the cob

Bid euchre and a true corn hole champ

Spoons was all out warfare

Kitty litter scoops and upper deckers

We’ve never laughed so hard

Rough around the edges

But a softie deep down

You cared deeply for others

Always wanting to make a difference

You rode for a cause, K9s for Warriors

You came to help us move when we said we needed it

You brought a bandaged stuffed dog for May’s thumb incident

You gave grandpa your time and affection and laughed at his jokes

You loved your girls, always talking about them

You were an American Badass

The infadel allah warned them about

Marines, Coast Guard

Highly Decorated, awarded the Bronze Star

Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, Bahrain

Selfless service

For the red, white, and blue

Explosions and gunshot wounds

Rarely discussed, mostly untold, buried deep

Our Stars and Stripes only possible

Because of your Scars and Strife

PAIN on your knuckles

It must have been so dark

Your selfless service for the freedoms we all have

Came at a cost most can’t understand

Deep down I knew it could end this way

Recently you pitched to me, “I’m your guy – you want me on your side.”

I laughed and said, “I know!”

But I want you to know, Erik, there was never any doubt.

I know you’re at peace, but our family is in pieces – we will never be the same.

You always left without saying goodbye.

The bible says, “There is no greater love than this—that a man should lay down his life for his friends.”

America lost a hero. Heaven gained a beautiful soul.