A marine's inspiring and poignant Facebook message has gone viral following his tragic death. Matthew DeRemer, 31, wrote his final post just hours before being killed by a drunk driver in Largo, Florida, on New Year's Eve.
DeRemer looked forward to 2016 in his post. He revealed his plans for the coming year, and what he learned in 2015.
"Last day of 2015!!!! For me I'll be meditating through all I do, on this entire year. I've lost, I've gained, family is closer and tougher than ever before, loved ones lost, and new friends found," DeRemer wrote on Thursday, December 31. "There has been many times where I've been found on my knees in prayer for hours (relentless) and other times leading a group of people in prayer, my faith (that I love to share) is an everyday awakening (to me) that people, lives, and circumstances can change for the better OVER TIME."
"I look back at 2015's huge challenges that I've overcome, shared with others, and have once again found myself… To say thank you and BRING ON 2016, much works to be done!" he continued. "And I really don't know where I'll end up tonight but I do know where I wind up is where I'm meant to be."
According to NBC, DeRemer was struck by a drunk driver while riding his motorcycle near his home. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The alleged driver, Steven Clarke, was charged with DUI manslaughter.
NBC reports that DeRemer left the marines in 2010. His Facebook page notes that he was a surgical technologist at West Bay Surgical Center in Florida.
