Army Spc. Samuel D. Stone

Sam and I met when we were just young adults making grown up people decisions. We were solid from day 1. He was the type of human being we all wish we could be, even just a little bit. When we deployed it was difficult to leave our families behind but we all had each other out there which helped a little. Sam always had otter pops! We would hang out and just eat otter pops in our down time. That’s probably one of the things I miss most about him. His kindness and love for others to share something he enjoyed so much. When Sam passed my heart sank. My heart shattered. This was a pain I never felt before. Losing your best friend in a place we knew we may never come home from really hits different. Sam was an amazing man. He cared for others like no one else I have ever known. Between his pups, his parents, his family and his friends he was so full of life and love. It has been almost 16 years since he passed and the pain is still so raw. The world was stripped of a man who was going places. Someone who wanted the best for those around him. Including the ones he didn’t know. If there’s one thing I could wish for, I wish I could see him for a moment in time and let him know everyone he loved is doing alright.