Gary Michael Hahn

I bought this card about 5 years ago, not knowing who it was going to be given to. On Saturday, I remembered this card in my dresser and it seemed perfect to explain why we are gathered here today. It reads:

We Remember a life today and all that made him the man he was..

His work, his gifts, and all that he enjoyed and found rewarding…

Calling to mind his beginnings, his journey, and all the wonderful stories we love to share about him.

We Honor a life today…

His character, his integrity, his commitment to things he stood for …

Recognizing his good heart, his sense of humor, and the helping hand he so often extended to others.

We Celebrate a life today …

and all that earned him the love, the admiration, the respect of family and friends, feeling grateful for our time with him, enriched for having known him, feeling blessed to have his remarkable spirit here among us forever.

These past few days while preparing for Gary’s services we came upon a letter he wrote to

his big sister as she left for college. Gary was only 13 but his knack for speaking the truth and from the heart was clear. His words have comforted her…

it reads:

dear Kirsten,…. in parenthesis he writes (good sister)

I hope it’s not too early to be writing letters to you but I just couldn’t help it. It’s about 12:45 at night and you didn’t even leave yet. WOW…I’m good. I just wanted to say sorry for anything that I annoyed you about, or anything that I ever said that upset you. Well I’m just sorry for anything that I caused to disappoint you. But anyway ummmm please feel free to write me or just call if you are lazy. I enjoy letters more. But I hope you are happy out there and have a good time.

Love ya,

From

Gary Michael Hahn

p.s. Heres my pic just so you don’t forget about me

Just kidding

(And he enclosed his 7th grade picture with his name & birthday on the back.)

As a young man going through boot camp with the Marines, Gary wrote to his Dad:

“I can’t tell you how happy I am for your accomplishments at your new job already and the respect you finally get and have deserved your whole life. When in doubt, look at your family cause everyone of us… sees you as a “hero” who can struggle to make ends meet but keeps depression or fear behind closed doors to better everyone’s mindset. To go out to dinner, with no money in the account to try to buy a last shot at happiness for the family until payday. Or take you son for a drive using a tank of gas just to have a talk and reassure him of doubts, struggles and anxiety he has in not seeing tomorrow or being able to make it.

You’re the man.”

Gary taped two purple wildflowers to the bottom of the page and wrote:

“gotcha some flowers Mom, the yellow ones got messed up though.”

He had picked them out on the Marines training field and tucked them in his pocket til later that night when he had a chance to write home.

In closing

One of Kristy’s favorite Irish songs seemed appropriate to wish Gary well as he leaves us to join other loved ones and Our Lord in heaven.

It’s titled …The Parting Glass

O, all the money that e’er I had,

I spent it in good company.

And all the harm I’ve ever done,

alas it was to none but me.

And all I’ve done for want of wit

To memory now I can’t recall;

So fill to me the parting glass,

Good night and joy be with you all.

O, all the comrades e’er I had,

They’re sorry for my going away.

And all the sweethearts e’er I had,

They’d wished me one more day to stay.

But since it falls unto my lot,

That I should rise and you should not,

I gently rise and softly call,

Goodnight and joy be with you all.

A Few things about Gary: Gary Loved children and Animals, He loved writing poems, letters and lyrics, He welcomed people into his life on an hourly basis, Gary loved any music with a good beat to rap to. From childhood to adulthood he would always sign his full name Gary M. Hahn or Gary Michael Hahn.

We will miss our beautiful son, a loving little brother, a soldier and a friend to many.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 11, 2011, from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm with a rosary to begin at 7:00 pm, Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, Arizona.

Mass will be celebrated and Military Honors will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, begining at 10:30 AM, Resurrection Catholic Church, 3201 S. Evergreen, Tempe, Arizona 85282.