Adam Paulson Snyder

West Point, 2004

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by CPT Zeroy Lawson on December 10, 2007:

If only one more day would pass with you still here Adam, I'd finally pick up the phone and tell you that I've missed having you as a roommate. Ben was great, but he didn't quite inspire me to be as clean and keep things in order the way you would. One more day, and I would tell you that I still wear my A-3 Sandhurst shirt around - not so much because I did anything with Sandhurst, because frankly I'm lazy, but because my old roommate was so motivated that it reminds me from time to time to be more motivated with what I'm doing - even if it does suck some days. One more day, and I would tell you that it always made me a little jealous that you ran faster, had shinier shoes, could sing so well, and even had the creativity to make great songs that few will ever hear now. One more day and I'd tell you that your devotion to your faith always made me question why I wasn't as grounded in my own faith; your faith led you to be selfless in so many ways that some may never appreciate. I always felt a little guilty that I never donated as much to charity as you did, or volunteered as many hours, or spent as many days pooling resources to take care of your own - whether it was family, your soldiers or the people you help selflessly in Iraq. One more day, and I'd tell you that I always felt like I was playing catch-up with you because you were always so far ahead in everything; it gave me that nudge to try and do better, work-out a little harder, study a little more, and actually read a book once in a while. One more day, and I would tell you that I really wish I was half the man that you were - because then I'd be at least twice the man I am now. I always thought the hardest part of losing a friend would be never saying "Goodbye," but now I understand that the truly hardest part is missing the chance to say "You know, you're an awesome guy and I miss having you as a roommate. You deserve every great thing that comes your way." In reality, "one more day" has long since passed. Your family already knows how awesome you were, which makes it all that much harder to say, "I'm grateful I had the privilege to spend time with your son and role model, I'm so sorry for your loss." Well Done, Adam.

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