Posted on 03/22/2004 6:45:43 AM PST by Lazamataz
Matt Reilly, also known as 'harpseal' on Free Republic, died on March 19, 2004.
His friend Eileen is making arrangements for a Memorial service at the local VA.
Matt was a former Navy SEAL, a keen businessman, a friend to his Walker Hound, and an accomplished sailor.
He was also my friend and my business partner. I can't barely see the keyboard through my tears. He will be missed greatly.
I meant to ask you how to fix that car
I always meant to ask you about the war
And what you saw across a bridge too far
Did it leave a scar?
Or how you navigated wings of fire and steel
Up where heaven had no more secrets to conceal
And still you found the ground beneath your wheels
How did it feel?
Bang the drum slowly, play the pipe lowly
To dust be returning, from dust we begin
Bang the drum slowly, I'll speak of things holy
Above and below me, world without end.
I meant to ask you, how when everything seemed lost
And your life was in a game of dice they tossed
There was still that line that you would never cross
At any cost.
I meant to ask you how you lived what you believed
With nothing but your heart up your sleeve
And if you ever really were deceived
By the likes of me.
Bang the drum slowly, play the pipe lowly
To dust be returning, from dust we begin
Bang the drum slowly, I'll speak of things holy
Above and below me, world without end.
Gone now is the day and gone the sun
There is peace tonight all over Arlington
But the song of my life will still be sung
By the light
Of the moon you hung
I meant to ask you how to plow that field
I meant to bring you water from the well
And be the one beside you when you fell
Could you tell?
Bang the drum slowly, play the pipe lowly
To dust be returning, from dust we begin
Bang the drum slowly, I'll speak of things holy
Above and below me, world without end.
Harpseal, please hug Jesus for me, old pard.
I'll see you soon.
Dear God, please wrap your loving arms around my warrior friend and give him your rest.
We will sorely miss you, brother.
By God's grace, you can do all things.
Clean and sober twenty-six years in September.
TC
I met Matt several years ago through our collaboration on your Dragon’s Fury series. We corresponded regularly, and I came to know him as an intelligent and deeply patriotic man (just as Reagan did, he called America ‘the last best hope for humanity’) .
I don’t think he would mind if I shared the following, now that he is no longer with us. I found it to be deeply touching, but not at all surprising, coming from him. He wrote this to me two years ago, upon the death of his beloved Maryann:
I ask one thing of my friends and it is really simple: tell those you love that you do love them and give them an extra hug when you do this. I know you already do this many times a day but one extra time will bring you and them joy. I have never been one of those touchy feely type people but I hugged Maryann and I told her I loved her every day. I have never been one to spend a whole lot of time in churches but I am always having a good converstion with Him. I do not often spout scipture but I know and think about it. i know I have many failings and I am a tired old sinner but I do repent my sins and try my best not to repeat them but I always seem to find some new variation. I guess if I had to identify with any biblical character it is that guy in the back of the Temple who is saying Lord have mercy on me for I am a sinner. I know Maryann made it to heaven and I hope I get there. I am relying on his Mercy being really infinite. I do appreciate when others quote the Bible and i particularly love the above verse … May God keep you and yours in the palm of his hand and protect you from all harm. Stay well - stay safe - stay armed – Yorktown.
Matt didn’t have to sign any of his messages. The ‘Stay well – stay safe – stay armed – Yorktown’ was a dead giveaway. :)
In spite of the fact that he experienced more sorrows in his life than most people might (the loss of so many who were dear to him, and his own long battle with cancer, among them), he always said that he would never trade places with anyone. He was content with the life he had been given. He did not want any ‘public display’ (his words) about his illness, but the experimental treatment he underwent for his bone cancer will surely benefit others in the future. It extended his life, but apparently did not result in complete remission.
Will pray for strength and comfort for his dear friend, Eileen.
We, and your country, will miss you terribly, Matt.
He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, anymore ... Rev 21:4
~ joanie
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