Richard Joyce

West Point, 2002

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Luke Wittmer on September 10, 2003:

Rick and I go all the way back to plebe year at West Point in 1998. In the time that I have been privledged to know and serve with Rick I was always amazed by his incredible intellect, but even more so by his unshakable beliefs and values. Being a true man of integrity and honor, Rick never strayed from what he always believed to be morally right by both himself and his God. Rick was a character role model to all who knew him. His idealism in how he believed that one man could make a difference was contageous and reminded me several times why I am wearing this proud US Army uniform today. I was with Rick on the morning of September 11, 2001 working on our capstone project for Systems Engineering when we both found out the news that would change the future of our country, and our very lives directly, sooner than we would know. Having shared that particular moment with Rick I would never have imagined then that I would be sitting here in Mosul, Iraq 2 years later reflecting with a solemn and heavy heart wondering what significant contributions might have been made to our country and this world had Rick been granted by the Lord a few years more on this earth. No doubt he would have wound up here also helping to restore a new life full of hope and promise to a hurting people. With Rick's smarts and compassion I have no doubt that he would have touched the lives of many more people as he did mine. Rick was always there for me and several others whenever I needed help with school work, values education training, needed advice, or just needed a friend. Rick's work ethic was unmatched. We spent many hours laboring over our senior project together. We went through the cold winter months of Ranger School together. We went through 4 grueling years at the Academy together, and I cannot imagine how my life would have turned out today had I not shared some of the hardest times of my life with Rick only to persevere together. To the Joyce family, Kerry, and his close friends that are hurting as much as I, I pray that the Lord will hold you close and give you a sense of peace in this hour of hurt and loss. Rick you have been a true friend, role model, and brother in Christ. Until we meet again and embrace each other as brothers in God's Kingdom, I pray that you may at last find eternal peace and rest in the arms of our mighty King. I say to you my brother "Well done, be thou at peace." Forever in your service, Luke

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