Dear Roger,
To sum up the life of such a great man in one word is difficult so here is the phrase I think about when I think of you…
Love by choice…
Love for a Country you served, by choice.
Love for a family even through the distance, by choice.
Love for my mother, by choice.
Love for three boys who you always called sons, by choice.
Love for my grandparents, by choice.
I can still remember the video you shot of one of Papa’s last hunts. They scared up a covey of quail and turned towards you to shot. It was funny to see the camera almost fall to the ground as you said “Oh shit” and ducked to get out of the way.
In one of the darkest times in my life, I wasn’t communicating with anyone, and you called me. I will never forget your words. You told me I needed to call my mother. That I hadn’t talked to her in a while and she was feeling it.
I was obedient and life was good again.
You loved me enough to pick up the phone and make that call.
So you gave your love by choice and that is a legacy that will live on forever.
Thank you for being the father that you didn’t have to be.
I will never forget all I have learned from you.
With love that will never die, from your oldest son,
Matt
Matt's Anthology 