The Following Two Passages were Written by Anthony and Found on His Laptop Computer Shortly after His Death.
They Reveal the True Spirit of Anthony.
“Where I Would Like to Be in Fifteen Years”
No one knows where their life will take them, but only they have the power to control their fate. Fifteen years from now, I will be thirty-one years old, hopefully leading a successful life in great satisfaction for the decisions I have made. Of course, some people change their minds about what they would like to do in the future, or some encounter unexpected obstacles that keep them from reaching their predicted future. But, planning ahead is all that I can do to ensure success in constructing my desired future.
Ultimately, fifteen years from now, I would like to be an officer in the United States Marine Corps, either as a systems engineer or an infantry officer. This has been a career path that I have wanted walk on for years, because I believe it is my responsibility to serve my country in the world’s most elite branch of the Armed Forces. Even though being an engineer or infantry officer brings two slightly different lifestyles, I would prefer to arrive at these destinations through the United States Naval Academy because of its prestige and the valuable academic, physical, military, and leadership education I would receive there. I am working extremely hard in high school in order to receive an appointment there.
As one of my possible career choices, being a systems engineer would combine many aspects of the engineering field, including computer programming and knowledge of mechanics, but dealing with the military would cause me to work with weapons systems most likely. Building, math, problem solving, athletics, shooting, and related hobbies have always been passions of mine, which is why this career would be perfect for me. Being a systems engineer would also make it easier to get married and have children, because I likely would be working within the United States or overseas in a non-hostile area, which would be good travel experience for my family. To get to that point, I would need to study systems engineering at the United States Naval Academy, attend The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, and receive further training for my Marine Occupational Specialty, and possibly go to school for higher degrees.
The other career choice for me is being an infantry officer, responsible for leading other Marines in battle to preserve the United States Constitution. From the United States Naval Academy, I would have to attend The Basic School like all Marine graduates. This career path appeals to me, because it gives the responsibility of being on the front lines against those who threaten the United States. In addition, I would possibly apply to become a member of the Force Reconnaissance, the Marine Corps’s Special Forces unit. Although, along this road, I would probably hold off from starting a family for a little while due to the increased danger I would face and the time spent away from home. All in all, I may serve at least twenty years in the Marines.
The experience I will receive in the Marine Corps could lead to extremely high paths in the service or in civilian life. No matter what I choose to do with my life, I hope that I am truly happy and satisfied with my accomplishments. By the time fifteen years from now has arrived, I wish that I can make a difference in the world, a world that needs people dedicated to preserving righteousness.Anthony J. Farrace
September 11, 2006
Period 3
Anthony J. Farrace
4/26/2007
Honor, Courage, Commitment
There lies a profound motto that echoes through the halls of the United States Naval Academy. It reads “honor, courage, commitment,” but is much more than a simple phrase. These words express the character of this nation’s strong leaders, and they are encompassed in the type of lifestyle I choose to live. As I have an utmost desire to attend the Naval Academy, I have perpetually lived by this motto that the institution finds so important. Thus, for as long as I can remember, the phrase of honor, courage, and commitment is one of the aspects of me that I am most proud of.
I have forever lived by an honor code that is cemented in my soul, without which I would have not been able to go anywhere in life. With honor, there has always been strong integrity in my calculated beliefs and actions. I do not view myself as an individual higher than others in civilized society, because I have always believed that it is customary to treat other people with honesty and fairness. With my sincere sense of honor, I have continually stood up for what is morally right and have never let the evil influences of everyday life damage this uprightness of morality.
Courage emits from my heart every day when I am forced to face adversity in any part of life. No matter how great the obstacle is, I always face it with the dauntless bravery of my mind and spirit. To ensure success in the face of hardship, it is imperative to block out any sense of fear that can entangle proper judgment. Fear, or a heightened sense of things, is a natural occurrence, but it is a necessity of my character to utilize every bit of courage I have to adapt to and overcome any situation. In addition, it takes courage to stand up for my moral standards.
Everything in life requires a certain amount of commitment, but I primarily commit myself to my family, community, and scholastic and athletic success. Nothing can be achieved successfully without putting forth a diligent effort for the amount of time something needs. Because of this, I feel that I have a deep responsibility to others and myself to follow through with every task at hand with purpose. Therefore, I ensure to have an unfaltering commitment to being a leader and following the code I live by.
From now into the distant future, I will wholeheartedly ensure that my personal motto of “honor, courage, commitment” remains unscathed by the shrapnel of negative influences far and wide. While consistently being a positive role model, there is much I hope to accomplish in my lifetime. Hence, with upholding my honor, I will courageously commit myself making sure that nothing compromises this motto, that of which I am most proud.
Anthony's Eulogy
Written and Delivered by Robert FarraceDriven, dependable, determined, warm, affectionate, approachable, remarkable. As we shared stories and memories of Anthony Farrace during the past few days, these are some of the words we kept hearing. And we've seen them displayed throughout his life.
It's no secret that from the time he could say the words "Beat Army," Anthony wanted to go to the U.S. Naval Academy. What's extraordinary is that he had so many steps planned out. Uncommon for a lot of adults, let alone kids, he knew exactly what he wanted to do and what it would take to get there, and nothing was going to get in his way. Short term, he focused like a laser on admission to the Naval Academy. Then longer term, after an illustrious career as a military officer, he was planning to set up his own engineering firm. I'm not aware of any retirement plans but it wouldn't surprise me if he already had a retirement fund set up. No one who knew him doubted for a moment that he would get it all done. And others he met along the way would become quickly convinced as well. As the young Marine who addresses us last night told us, Anthony had the right stuff and was well on his way.
Is this response a surprise to those of us who knew him? Is it any surprise that the Naval Academy rushed a flag they had recently flown directly to Anthony's parents to honor his memory immediately upon hearing of last week's tragedy? Not really. You see, the Navy's core values of honor, courage, and commitment were already deeply embedded in Anthony. Time and again he showed us that he had the rare moral and mental strength to do the right thing and keep moving forward, even when it was really hard, and to quote Anthony, "even when no one was watching."
We saw the signs of his determination early. As a child, he refused to stop working on a puzzle until every piece was in place. If he was working with his building toys, he wouldn't stop until a whole K'Nex carnival was built. This was a kid who, during a blackout, could be found upstairs doing his homework with a flashlight.
Later in life we saw how he would reach a little deeper to get what he wanted-and the harder things got, the deeper he reached. During one particular swim meet, Anthony had the audacity to-please forgive me for saying these words out loud--come in second. He left the pool, declaring he'd never be second again. Next thing you know, he's not just winning meets and blue ribbons, he's setting new swim records.
In his first season as a wrestler, he got thrown around the mat quite a bit. But he reached a little deeper and kept at it and worked and learned and got better and better and better. His teammates can't say enough about his incredible work ethic-that when the coach put him in for a play, he would not jog, but sprint into the huddle. That he was always the last guy in the weight room, saying, "Yeah, hold on, I just want to get in one more set." That his ability to improve was limited only by his desire to improve-and that desire had no limit.
But to define Anthony by his drive and ambition tells only part of the story. He had all the accomplishments and all the tools and every right to be as arrogant as he wanted to be. But not Anthony. He was as much gentle giant as fierce competitor. And his heart was as big as his dreams.
I saw that early on. One of my favorite snapshot memories of Anthony is from when he was about five years old-Anthony and his dad were meeting me at the airport. The first thing I notice is this huge warm smile which would later become Anthony's trademark, and he was beaming with pride as he showed me a sign he had scribbled in typical 5-year-old scrawl that said, "Welcome home, Uncle Bob."
And even then, before he grew a Hercules-style upper body, when Anthony hugged you, you knew you were hugged.
Children loved being around him--and not just because they wanted to watch him eat a whole bagel in two bites or, as my son did, they could use his back like a sliding board-but simply because his joy was contagious. It shouldn't surprise us. Children are, after all, the best judges of character. They don't know words like upstanding and genuine and generous, but they know it when they see it, and they sure saw it in Anthony.
Another favorite snapshot. At my parents' 50th anniversary party a few years ago, all the young kids were on the dance floor doing the Macarena. And as you looked over-and up a few feet-there was Anthony, towering, dancing the Macarena-or so he thought--entertaining the kids, looking ridiculous, and loving every moment of it. That was Anthony, and suddenly it was ok to be ridiculous.
One Cherokee freshman shared how grateful she was when Anthony, though a big man on campus, took time to talk to her and help her out in study hall. Anthony then congratulated her and told her: "You just made one of the best friends you could have at Cherokee." That's about as arrogant as he got.
There's no denying how much Anthony loved his family. This is a kid who would change his work schedule at the last minute to make sure he made it to a Father's Day celebration. There was nothing he wouldn't do and do happily for his grandparents. He adored his parents, Claudia and John, and though a big tough athlete, he never got tired of hugs from his mom. I've never seen a father and son so close-and whether going to the shooting range or to the golf course or nowhere at all, Anthony wanted to go with his best buddy, his dad. Many of us have commented that Anthony would have made a great dad someday-and brother-of-mine, there's no denying where he would have learned it. He and his sister Diana were so tight it's hard to find a picture of Diana with Anthony, or as Diana called him, the "golden child," without Anthony's arm around her. More than once, in fact, I've pointed to Diana and Anthony and told my own two children, who are much younger, "Watch and learn. Do me a favor and be just like that."
Anthony touched so many people in his short time on this earth, and we all have mental images we'll call on when we think of him. We can pull up images in our heads of Anthony on the football field, on the wrestling mat, in the pool, goofing around with his cousins. Me, I'll always see Anthony as that five-year-old kid with the big welcoming smile and the even-bigger heart.
Anthony, we know you're listening, and you're probably asking me if I'll be wrapping this up soon, and I will. But first, let me say that we love you. We miss you. Your departure has left us in a world of hurt that feels like it'll never heal. We have no idea why you were taken from us so soon. And, yes, we're a little angry that we'll never get to see the amazing things you were going to do with your life. But we cherish the time you were with us, and like you would, we will reach a little deeper and find a way to move past the crushing sadness. You made us all so proud, and we'll work every day to make you proud right back. And we'll do our darndest to learn whatever it was you were put here to teach us. Maybe you were here to show us how to be remarkable. And maybe we can best honor your memory by finding and unleashing the remarkable in ourselves.
But your work is done, and the lesson of your life is ours to figure out. While we're sad for our loss, we know that God has a bearhug of his own waiting for you and he is leading his choirs of angels in a resounding chorus of 'Welcome home, Anthony. Welcome home."