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It has taken a long time - too long - to write about <em>Carl J. Winter, Jr</em>. It seems that one always has a reason for not doing those difficult things that he knows need to be done: “Too busy,” “Don’t know what to say,” “Maybe next week.” I’ve come to realize, however, that my difficulty arose from a concern, maybe even a fear, that I would not be able to do justice to one so special; a person who meant so much to so many people. To me, in particular, Carl was a brother, a good friend, an inspiration, and standing example of what it means to dedicate your life to the highest ideals of West Point.</p>
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How does one write about his beloved brother, now gone? Oh, I could list his accomplishments and provide a chronology of his life, but such things would portray an incomplete picture of the man who meant so much to us. They would not reflect the many hot summer days working together on our parents’ farm in Michigan; the evenings spent playing hide-and-seek around the old barn; the cold winter nights huddled together under a mountain of blankets; the rare privilege of having an older brother who you knew cared about you and would always be there when you needed him. They would not reflect a husband and father who possessed a deep love for and pride in his wife Beverly, his son Curt, and everything it meant to be a devoted family man. They would not reflect a son who was a constant source of pride to his parents and to the small town of Hemlock, Michigan. They would not reflect his strong belief in God and the importance of his faith in every aspect of his life. Finally, they would not truly reflect his love and pride in being a professional soldier, a career which he strongly believed in and for which he made the highest sacrifice.</p>
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No, Carl’s life cannot be adequately described in cold chronology or platitude. Carl’s life is best described by one word: Love. He had a deep and abiding love of life, love of family, and love of God and Country. It permeated every aspect of his life, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him was touched by it in some way. I have often asked myself how a person with so much to give could be taken from us so early. The answer to that question has eluded me for many years. As the years have passed the answer has slowly emerged - he has never really left us. Yes, he is gone from us physically, but he has left an indelible watermark by which we can measure the successes and failures of our lives. Carl was sent to us for a very special purpose and left us having completely and wonderfully accomplished it.</p>
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Yes, Carl you are gone from us now. We will no longer be able to bask in the warmth of your contagious smile and remembrances of our days of youth. Those of us who love you, however, will never forget you. We feel your presence constantly among us and realize that for all things there is a purpose. For 25 years the earth was a better place because you were here, and it will be a better place for many years to come because of what you left behind. The memories of our times together are treasures which can never be lost.</p>
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Farewell, my dear brother, until we meet again.</p>
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<em>Daniel J. Winter</em></p>
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