Posted by Balek, Cecin, Clays, Gross, Hadjis, Mitchell, & Stark on December 14, 2008:

On the weekend of December 12-14, 2008, several of Hal's West Point classmates from Company F-4 gathered at a cabin in southwest Pennsylvania to honor and remember Hal's life. As we shared conversations, memories, and photographs, some of the fog lifted and a clearer picture of Hal emerged. The first thing that came to mind was always the smile; the laughs; the sense of humor. Hal lived life well. He made our time at West Point more fun; more importantly, he made our lives better for having known him. Unfortunately, we also grappled with the same question that so many wrestle with when a loved one dies so young: why did such a bright light burn out so quickly? We hoped to find some answers to the end of Hal's life. Why do tough times come to some and not others? Why didn't Hal reach out to us during these past few years when tough times came - hardship best dealt with standing alongside friends, not alone? Did we inadvertently build walls, or were we just all too busy to notice the growing silence on the other end of the emails? We'll never have complete clarity, but we did get some perspective on Sunday when we visited the Flight 93 Memorial in nearby Shanksville, PA. Those lives also ended tragically and early. The response from citizens across the country has been to remember them; memorialize; and strive to live better lives to honor their sacrifice. We think the same holds true for Hal - we cannot bring him back, but we can strive to live better lives in response. We can remember Hal, and in doing so, resolve to tear down the walls between classmates and friends so that when others struggle with the trials of life, they don't stand alone. We stand together. Farewell, Hal. We love you and we miss you. "Be thou at peace."

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