Sgt. William Stacey was on foot patrol January 31st in Afghanistan when an insurgent's bomb went off, tragically killing the 23-year-old.
Though he is now gone, Stacey is still speaking through a letter he left his parents to open in case he didn't make it home from the war.
He joined the Marines in January 2007 and had completed a total of five deployments. Sgt. Stacey was set to return home to Washington state after his final deployment in Afghanistan this spring.
Sgt. Stacey was the son of two teachers, who released their son’s letter with the 23-year-old’s obituary in his hometown Seattle Times. Sgt. Stacey’s stirring “in case of death” letter was found by his family Thursday, it reads:
Though he is now gone, Stacey is still speaking through a letter he left his parents to open in case he didn't make it home from the war.
He joined the Marines in January 2007 and had completed a total of five deployments. Sgt. Stacey was set to return home to Washington state after his final deployment in Afghanistan this spring.
Sgt. Stacey was the son of two teachers, who released their son’s letter with the 23-year-old’s obituary in his hometown Seattle Times. Sgt. Stacey’s stirring “in case of death” letter was found by his family Thursday, it reads:
“My death did not change the world; it may be tough for you to justify its meaning at all. But there is a greater meaning to it. Perhaps I did not change the world. Perhaps there is still injustice in the world. But there will be a child who will live because men left the security they enjoyed in their home country to come to his. And this child will learn in the new schools that have been built. He will walk his streets not worried about whether or not his leader’s henchmen are going to come and kidnap him. He will grow into a fine man who will pursue every opportunity his heart could desire. He will have the gift of freedom, which I have enjoyed for so long. If my life buys the safety of a child who will one day change this world, then I know that it was all worth it.
Semper Fidelis means always faithful. Always faithful to God, Country and Corps. Always faithful to the principles and beliefs that guided me into the service. And on that day in October when I placed my hand on a bible and swore to defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, I meant it.”
Sgt. Stacey's time on this earth was too short, but he will live on through his words for years to come.Semper Fidelis means always faithful. Always faithful to God, Country and Corps. Always faithful to the principles and beliefs that guided me into the service. And on that day in October when I placed my hand on a bible and swore to defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, I meant it.”
