Kristofor T Stonesifer Eulogy given at Kris' memorial service, October 26, 2001 Plumsteadville, PA
Lt. Tom Hanlon, US Army 10th Mountain Division
This past weekend, I ran the gamut of emotions. When I learned of the raids in Afghanistan on Friday night, I stayed glued to my television set with nervous anticipation. Hearing the news unfold, I felt so vicariously proud of these fearless Rangers and their accomplishments. Then the newscaster went on to say that the mission did not go on without a hitch, that there was a report of 2 soldiers killed in a helicopter. And I thought "how unfortunate."
Saturday was bits and pieces and returning home on Sunday after an errand I was greeted at my front door by my wife who wore a terribly worried look on her face. She explained that a special report came over the air and that the names of the fallen soldiers had been released. She paused and told me that one of the men was a friend of mine from college in Montana. I braced myself as I went breathless. She echoed your name and I went numb. The numbness soon gave way to a deep biting pain and nausea.
I only knew you for a year in Montana before you left to pursue your goals of becoming a Ranger and a Special Forces Warrior. I was so grateful to run into you again in Ft Benning because I was very interested in how you’re endeavors were going, and as expected, of course things were going great for you. When we shook hands and parted ways again, I remember telling you I hoped to work with you again one day. I truly meant that. I knew that if I did get to work with you, it would be a very special unique capacity that the Army only reserves for its most elite, which is inevitably where you’d be.
You’re passing on has had a tremendous effect on me. I feel that a year is not much time to really know someone but one would only need to spend a couple of hours with you to take away a positive lasting impression.
I admire you for your fierce competitiveness:
-your calm and friendly demeanor
-your raw physical ability
-your humble confidence
-your undaunted courage
-your quiet intensity that emulated through your eyes
-your shared respect for nature and love of Montana
-your selfless devotion to this country
-your desire to be the best
-your uncommon intellect
-the way you welcomed challenge into your life the was most others welcome relaxation and luxury
You listened more than you spoke, but you didn’t have to speak much for your actions spoke for themselves- and always with bold statement. If you could quantify the quality of a soldier, you would surely equal the value of an entire company of men. You had it all and to you it came with ease.
I admired you for all of these things and you continue to inspire me now more than ever. You make me want to get better at what I do and to encourage the improvement of others. I feel I must to help pull out the slack that was created by your loss. I realize what this nation last when you perished in that distant land. This nation knows it lost a son. But those who knew you and worked with you realize we lost one of our finest.
You did not perish in vein, Kris. This cause is the most noble this county had partaken in over half a century- certainly greater than our generation has ever known. We’re trying to root out a true evil, bring terrorism to its knees, mercilessly destroy its perpetrators and restore freedom from fear to this great county. It’s a very tall task and an extremely dangerous one. That’s why you were there at the sharp point of this tremendous effort. Who else better to handle something like this? No one else is trained at managing danger the way you and your Ranger brethren are.
I am not much of a religious man, Kris- at least not in the traditional sense of the title. I draw my spiritual strength and faith from nature, personal experiences, the people I love and the people I’ve met from the many places I’ve been.
Your immortality will help me grow stronger. When I am challenged by adversity, I will seek you for guidance and inspiration. I is traditional amongst the Rangers when applying extra effort such as one last push-up or pull-up beyond your threshold that you dedicate your extra effort to the legendary but nameless "Airborne Ranger in the Sky." It is a tribute to the fallen Rangers from our past. For me Kris, when I give one for the "Airborne Ranger in the Sky," it’s for you. There may come a time when I’ll have to interrupt you from you peaceful perch in the Rocky Mountains of Montana to get me out of a bind. Guide me well! Rangers Lead the Way!