Posted by Brian Womble on February 21, 2002:

I roomed with Lance Motley for half of our Plebe year. I was probably his best friend during that period, if not his only friend. As I knew him, Lance was very independent, and did not require a support network of friends to confirm his strong convictions. I will attempt to summarize what I remember here. Lance was extremely committed to his country. He spoke often of patriotism, and his desire to serve. He drove us crazy with his intense focus on what he wanted, and what he wanted to be, which in retrospect was textbook soldier. At 18, I could not understand him. He was ahead of his years, no doubt. As a cadet we did not get much sleep. Lance did not help the situation, since every morning he would jump out of bed 30 minutes ahead of time, and start pounding push-ups, sit-ups, and any other PT he could fit into the middle of the barracks floor. He stopped pounding after several days when an upper classman from downstairs (just below our room) burst through the door and threatened to kick his ass across the plain if he did not stop the noise. That did not stop him of course, he just went into stealth mode, and did everything more quietly. He made good grades, and studied hard. He took every opportunity to participate in anything extra-curricular that was related to military training. If there were a dance or a survival bivouac as choices for the weekend, he wouldn't be puttin' on any cologne to meet a girl' One fall weekend, unusually warm, Lance decided to take a jog in full combat gear for fun. Hours later, someone found him lying on the sidewalk near the Commandant's quarters, with heat prostration. He spent a week in the hospital after that event. He explained later that he felt by training with full combat gear on, he could develop an edge over his competing peers, who were probably taking the day off since it was a Sunday. I met Lance's mom once, she was attractive and stern. Lance never spoke of his father, but I sensed that his mom was trying as hard as she could to fill both roles. It seemed as if Lance was trying to tell his mom that she had done well in her role, and that he was now a man, and was going to be a great soldier. I think Lance Motley was misunderstood. Lance was not a social butterfly, to put it mildly. He just did not have time to waste on social relationships that did not appear to be important. Lance wanted to be the point man, and would not hesitate to go first on any mission. As with all of us, Lance possessed a collection of skills and attributes that were different from everyone else, and was valuable asset to the Military Academy and to his country. He wanted to be a hero, and was ready to die for the opportunity. In the limited details I have learned about his death, I do not doubt that he was at the front of the action, risking all to do his job. I mourn the loss of Lance Motley. He was selfless, and committed to his ideals. Lance, if your are listening, I do understand now. May God Rest Your Soul.

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