Emily Jazmin Tatum Perez

West Point, 2005

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Ron Valentine on September 20, 2006:

I once was told that life is all about impact. The impact that Emily had on those around her was incredible. Fortunately, for me I had the opportunity to know Emily and to experience that impact first hand. Whether she was on the track, in the choir stand, on the parade field, or motivating the corps from the sidelines, Emily was the epitome of a leader, a spiritual warrior, a role model and a friend. As I think on the memories we share a song lyric comes to mind which outlines the testimony of our experiences together at the Academy, "We had some good days, we had some hills to climb, we had some weary days, and some sleepless nights, but when I look around and I think things over all of our good days outweigh our bad days." I never thought the words of our duet during the Gospel Choir Grad Concert '05, "The Storm is Over Now", would re-visit us so soon. However, as I look back on that day and see the tears of joy flowing from our eyes because we made it through, I am reassured that your spirit will continue to be here to remind us that though we may think we are walking alone, we are not on our own, because you will be there Emily. Thanks for your prayers, advice, support, ears, shoulders, inspiration, guidance, example, and smile. You may be gone, but the impact that you leave behind will never be forgotten. "Keeping Freedom Alive," your sacrifice brings new meaning to that phrase. To the family: May God's peace be with you, till you meet her again. You are always in my heart, 2LT Valentine, Ron USMA '05

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