FALLEN HEROES MEMORIAL SPEECH

Today we gather to remember two fallen heroes: Adrian Stump and Tane Baum. I am honored to say a few words today, but I must say I am humbled by the daunting prospect of putting into words the enormous and solemn pride we all feel because we were so fortunate to have shared our lives with these two amazing men. For those of us who knew them well and served alongside them, their memory is never far from our consciousness. For the families, their memory is rarely apart from their consciousness. We were fortunate to walk the path of life with them for a while. We were lucky enough to share some of our lives’ greatest experiences and treasured moments with them. We were blessed to be able to enjoy the lighter moments of life with them and share laughter and good times. And it was by providence that we were fortunate enough to call them friend… brother… son… father… husband. 

A memorial is sometimes, as it is today, a plaque on a wall. Of course, the plaque is only a piece of metal with words inscribed on it… but its purpose is to remind. Its purpose is to stimulate recall and awaken memories. Then it is our responsibility to remember. I believe it is true that the best way to pay tribute to the fallen hero and honor their service is by remembering their lives…

By remembering the wide-eyed teenager who knew that, more than anything, he wanted to fly.

By remembering the loving father and steadfast husband who truly put his family first.

By remembering the exuberant, youthful enthusiasm of a young pilot whose thirst for knowledge and drive to be the best he could be was unquenchable. 

By remembering the hard-working and ever dependable flight engineer who made his crew and his aircraft more important than himself.

By remembering two great warriors who knew only valor and courage in the face of great danger. 

By remembering two ever-dependable friends who never, ever failed their fellow soldiers.

And by remembering two of Oregon’s sons, America’s finest, who willingly answered their country’s call to arms and sacrificed everything in defense of liberty.

A solemn page of history was written that day in September. While we cannot un-write history, we can preserve the best of it and ensure that future generations know about these two heroes that fell in battle while in selfless and noble service to their country and to their fellow comrades in arms. It is incumbent upon all of us who knew them to tell their story; to share our fondest memories and relive the great moments of two great men. This is how we ensure they live on as… in the words of The Statler Brothers song “more than a name on a wall.”

I think you will find a common theme among those of us who served in Afghanistan with Adrian and Tane. Many of us have asked ourselves, “why them; why not me?” It is a question to which only God knows the answer. But we ask it anyway in a search for understanding. So while the answer is unknowable, there is one concept that is resolute: those of us that live on have the solemn duty and great responsibility to honor those who have fallen. We do this by remembering their lives and by carrying the torch that burns in their name. We also do this living a life that makes the very best of the ideals, traditions and way of life they gave their lives to defend.

At the end of Saving Private Ryan, Tom Hanks’ character, CPT John Miller lays dying of his wounds. With his last few breaths, he clutches Private James Ryan and implores him: "EARN THIS." Of course, he’s referring to the ultimate sacrifice he has inevitably made. I believe he is also impliedly urging Private Ryan to live a life worth living. This moment is very moving in its ominous finality yet it is also so full of hope. It probably doesn’t answer the question of “why them; why not me”? But for those who live on, I think it lays out our mandate… which is this: go forth and live full, fruitful and happy lives, always rememberingthat it was fallen heroes like Adrian and Tane that make this possible.