Mike over and Sipsey Street and David at WOG have covered the lead up and hearings themselves brilliantly. One item that was missed in coverage was the Terry families opening statement. In it was a reading of a poem Brian Terry wrote to describe himself and his mindset.
“If Today Is to Be the Day…So Be It”.
If you seek to do battle with me this day, you will receive the best that I am capable of giving.
It may not be enough, but it will be everything that I have to give and it will be impressive for I have constantly prepared myself for this day.
I have trained, drilled and rehearsed my actions so that I might have the best chance of defeating you.
I have kept myself in peak physical condition, schooled myself in the martial skills and have become proficient in the applications of combat tactics.
You may defeat me, but I’m willing to die if necessary. I do not fear death for I have been close enough to it on enough occasions that it no longer concerns me.
But, I do fear the loss of my honor and would rather die fighting than to have it said that I was without courage.
So I will fight you, no matter how insurmountable it may seem, to the death if need be, in order that it may never be said of me that I was not a warrior.
I read as much as most and more than many, rarely has the written word affected me so much. As the statement was read I was not so much angry, or even sad, but yet I cried. I tear now again writing this. This man, is America and everything that makes us a nation exceptional. I am sorry I never got to know him, I know I will never forget him.
