We, your father and mother salute you, son, for your bravery, sincerity, and singleness of purpose.  We are proud of the man you grew into.  Your wife, Jennifer, calls you her “Renaissances Man” and truly you were; you were a “knight in shining armor” to us all.  We do miss you so, that words cannot even begin to express our loss.  You lived life to its fullest in the short 25 years God allowed you to be with us here on earth.  

You were and are a complete man, and because of that you are a man’s man.  You were physically fit and developed so that you were no match for any ordinary man.  You were mentally exercised so that you were cunning and could solve life’s problems and would “think” your way out of issues until they were solved.  You were spiritually developed in that you came to know and make Jesus  your Savior and grew to the point in your own spiritual life that you really cared about other people’s relationship with Him as well, and would work with and challenge them in their walk with the Lord as their Savior. You treated all alike: to you the “best” was treated with no undue praise and the underdog was encouraged to accomplish more than what he thought he could.

Above all you are real.  You hate hypocrisy, especially among “Christians.” And worked at not being a hypocrite yourself.  You loved your family and friends and country.  As you summed up so powerfully in your own words:

“The one thing I believe in, above all else is love. I love my savior, My family, My freedom and my friends. Most people view love as a word or emotion, I view love as an act of commitment. My act of love is my service in the military protecting and preserving all the things I believe in most, so that my children, family, and friends can enjoy true freedom. I've seen war first hand, and have meet people that have never known any of the freedoms we take for granted and I never want that for the people I care for most.   Semper Fi....” – Sgt. Allen James Dunckley

We raised you to be a patriot not knowing what that cost would be.  I as your father am very proud of you, son, and what you accomplished in your short amazing life. Truly, I stand in awe of the man you grew to be. I Love you, my son.

We, your father and mother, say not a “good bye,”  but just, “So long son”, and salute you until the Trumpet sounds and we see you again at the coming of the Lord. -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18