The link below will take you to the slide show we did for Heath’s memorial service.  Hope you enjoy it.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCQBsHCBlOs

November 22, 2006 started out as a normal day for my family and me. I was on vacation from work for the Thanksgiving Holiday and once we had the boys off to school; Melissa and I had a checklist of errands to complete for our Thanksgiving Celebration the next day. We arrived home around noon and began to unpack our groceries.I had gone upstairs for just a minute, when I heard a scream from outside…it was my wife, Melissa, and I knew something was terribly wrong. As I ran down the stairs and Melissa was flying in the house choking out that, the Marines were here….at that moment three Marines entered our house with tears in their eyes …we knew Heath was gone. In a split second on 11/22/2006, our family was forever changed and our world stopped….or so it appeared…but here we are nearly a year later.On this Thanksgiving Day, I am still thankful for the many blessings I have in my life. Melissa, Chandler and Ashton are my life and inspiration. Everyday we get up in a free country and we move ever so slowly forward. We are not the same family as before, but I think we will be better family in the end. Another thing I am thankful for is the hidden blessing that comes when your world stops. Everything is up for grabs. The things that were important to me on 11/21/06 were not on 11/22/06. Missed priorities, materialism, self-centeredness, ambition all fell away when we lost our Heath. Life is so subtle how it draws you in to its trappings and I was no exception. Since Heath’s death, we have had many opportunities to meet new friends and help people in new ways. We are thankful for our Gold Star families and the people all over the country that share their love, prayers and support. I am thankful for friends, family our church that have walked through the Valley of Death with us.On this Thanksgiving Day though, I am thankful for a young man, Pvt. Heath Warner, who I had the honor and privilege to be his dad. I am going to celebrate a life that fulfilled its purpose. On a split second on 11/22/06, Heath’s life was forever changed. He was greeted by the angels that took him to the arms of a heavenly Father that welcomed him home. H will forever be remembered as a hero.

Heath, My Son 

 Graduation from Boot Camp (November 18, 2005) 

I get to see my son today,It’s four months since he has gone away, He’s different now, he’s not all mine, He’s a U.S. Marine, the finest kind.   The little boy that I once newHas now become a man that’s true,He loves and hurts like you and meBut now he doesn’t let me see. He’s brave, tougher, smarter too,But remember my son…I still need you.I need to know your well and fine, and Hear you laugh from time to time, or Shed a tear or rant and rave…You don’t always have to be so brave. So take God’s hand he’ll lead the way He’ll keep you safe each day I pray, You’ll walk with him where heroes tread,But don’t feel dread, feel blessed instead You have the love all around,So make it right, your judgments sound. A man you are…But my son you’ll be,Forever and eternity.  Love,  Mom A special poem from Melissa to Heath at boot camp graduation.  Author-Anonymous

Thinking of you today and remembering fondly your bootcamp graduation which was two years ago today.  We love you and miss.  Our heats ache every day but the love doesn’t end.  Remembering fondly your special day.

Love, Dad and Mom