'All that we hope for is Real'

From old-blogging pal Charmaine Yoest at Reasoned Audacity, comes the full text of Staff Sergeant Dan Clay's letter to his family. The President quoted a portion of it when he introduced Clay's family in the gallery; here is the entire letter.

It is an encouraging summary of one man's experience in Iraq that displays a keen understanding of duty and honor:

What we have done in Iraq is worth any sacrifice. Why? Because it was our duty. That sounds simple. But all of us have a duty. Duty is defined as a God given task. Without duty life is worthless...

I know what honor is. It is not a word to be thrown around. It has been an Honor to protect and serve all of you. I faced death with the secure knowledge that you would not have to. This is as close to Christ-like I can be. That emulation is where all honor lies. I thank you for making it worthwhile.

As a Marine this is not the last Chapter. I have the privilege of being one who has finished the race. I have been in the company of heroes. I now am counted among them.

Furthermore it is a tremendous Christian apologetic and testimony of one man's faith and it's place in his life:

All that we hope for is Real. Not a hope. But Real...All we hoped for is true. Celebrate! My race is over, my time in war zone is over. My trials are done. A short time separates all of us from His reality.

Sergeant Clay, for myself, may I say that it has been an honor to know that a man like you walked the wall on my behalf.