Eric wrestling brother MatthewEric with brother Matthew and sister KatieEric carrying cousinYoung Eric wearing tieYoung Eric with face paintEric with our first dog – black lab named DarlaEric and his Marine buddy SebastianEric in Marines Corps training exerciseThumbs up with Marine buddy Ramirez!Eric with his friendsEric having a catch with his DadEric with his brother Matthew and sister KatieEric and his brother MatthewEric playing rugby at the field that would later be named after him.Eric celebrating his birthdayEric is Robin, Matthew is …. who really knows?Eric and Matthew sitting on fireplace hearthEric at the beachEric and his sister KatieEric on a trip to SeattleEric in SeattleEric with sister Katie and brother Matthew
We, the privileged few.
We the privileged few knew Eric W. Herzberg.
We are poorer because Eric is no longer with us.
We are richer because he was here even briefly.
He exemplified integrity.
His integrity led to commitment.
His commitment led to fulfilling his expected duty.
His duty led to sacrifice.
Teddy Roosevelt once said: "The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred with dust and sweat and blood, who knows the great devotions and sends himself in a worthy cause; who at best, if he wins, knows the thrills of high achievement and, if he fails, at least fails daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."
Eric was in the arena: football, soccer, wrestling, rugby, Marines. He knew the thrills of high achievement, tested himself against the very best and was not found wanting. He knew victory, he knew defeat, but he always dared greatly.
Senator Alan Simpson once said: "If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters."
Eric had integrity. Nothing else matters.
Thoughts from Fred Herzberg, Eric's grandfather - Veterans Day, 2006.
