We are poorer because Eric is no longer with us.
We are richer because he was here even briefly.

He exemplified integrity.
His integrity led to commitment.
His commitment led to fulfilling his expected duty.
His duty led to sacrifice.

Teddy Roosevelt once said: "The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred with dust and sweat and blood, who knows the great devotions and sends himself in a worthy cause; who at best, if he wins, knows the thrills of high achievement and, if he fails, at least fails daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."

Eric was in the arena: football, soccer, wrestling, rugby, Marines. He knew the thrills of high achievement, tested himself against the very best and was not found wanting. He knew victory, he knew defeat, but he always dared greatly.

Senator Alan Simpson once said: "If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters."

Eric had integrity. Nothing else matters.