| Daddy's Memorial Service |
| EULOGIES continued |
| Sam's eulogy continued Someone woke me as I had just gone off watch and said that Eddie had a bad accident in gun mount 2 aboard ship. Rushing topside to the mount, I saw seaman Smith from Tennessee holding a tight tourniquet on his leg and motioned to me to place a blanked over him. We packed him in a wire stretcher and started running to sick bay which was being readied. After the operation, many hours later, I was summoned to the sick bay and informed that Eddie was coming out of the anesthesia. They were not sure how he was going to take this. I was told by the doctor to say something light and cheerful. I was 18 years old, scared beyond belief and I had not the slightest idea about what to say. We had a junior division officer who always chided Eddie and I about shaving every other day. As I walked into the sick bay with the Captain Chaplin, the doctor and the Division Officer, I noticed that Eddie had a 5 O'clock shadow on his face. He saw me coming and said 'Hey Sam, they cut my leg off. How am I going to tell this to my mother'. He then began to cry. I was so scared and the first thing that came to mind was 'You had better get a shave before Boyer sees you'. Well, what followed came in a very loud voice 'Oh yeah? if he comes in here I'll kick him right in the ass, leg or no leg'. Everybody was surprised. Eddie began to laugh, and we all started to laugh along with him. That answer convinced the U.S. Navy that this kid was tough, and nobody would have to worry about his future outlook on life. That statement was proven as we know after 53 years. When Lena and I married, Eddie was our best man. He was also Godfather to our first born, Linda. In my lifetime, I have known many people. I may not have looked at all of them as God would have wanted me to. You see, Eddie looked at everybody in God's way. I tell you here...as God is my witness, Eddie D'Amico, my best friend, was an outstanding individual and one of the best that God ever placed on this earth. He was honest, loved his family immensely, respected his fellow man, and as always ready to help, regardless of who it was. If Eddie was a the scene, he would have been the first to help carry the cross. 'No greater love hath any man'. I shall miss him. I shall always keep him in my memory bank. And whenever my human mind becomes confused and contrary, I will truly try to focus my thoughts on him because when it came down to loving your fellow man, he always set the example. Goodbye Eddie, my good friend and brother. |
| A Reading From 2 Timothy, Chapter 4, verses6-8 (Timothoy 4:6-8) |
| As for me, the hour has come for me to be sacrificed; the time is here for me to leave this life. I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith. And now there is waiting for me the prize of victory awarded for a righteous life, the prize which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day - and not only to me, but to all those who wait with love for him to appear. |
| A Reading From the book of Asaiah, Chapter 42, verses 1-4 (Isaiah 42:1-4) |
| The Lord says, "Here is my servant, whom I strengthen - the one I have chosen, with whom I am pleased. I have filled him with my spirit, And he will bring justice to every nation. He will not shout or raise his voice Or make loud speeches in the streets. He will not break off a bent reed Nor put out a flickering lamp. He will bring lasting justice to all. He will not lose hope or courage; He will establish justice on the earth. Distant lands eagerly wait for his teaching" |