A parent should never have to bury a child.

For too many mothers and fathers that is a reality they have faced and a burden that will be carried the rest of their lives. Nothing can eliminate the pain; nothing can fill the void left by the loss of a precious child.

On Friday, Aug. 11, we recognized the first-year anniversary of the loss of our dear son. We are eternally grateful to the many people whose cards, calls and expressions of sympathy helped us survive the day.

Foremost in our thoughts of gratitude are those friends of our son and the parents and others who gathered with us at his grave site for a brief remembrance. Twenty balloons were released in recognition of the years Clint’s presence blessed us. We released a twenty-first balloon in recognition of the birthday he never saw and the birthday he so eagerly anticipated. Tears flowed and stories were told, but the memory of his gracious personality and infectious smile was a source of solace to all.

Our son had three great passions: PN-G High School, Texas A&M University and his friends. All came together on Saturday, Aug. 12, at the First Annual Clint Wasser Memorial Golf Tournament held at Port Arthur Babe Zaharias Golf Course. The benefit was wholly conceived, planned and carried out by a group of outstanding young people, all dear friends of Clint’s who cherish his memory.

While the tournament held great meaning for us because it helps keep our son’s memory alive, we also see it as a tribute to the character of so many young men and women in our community. While too many take great sport in finding fault with the younger generation and criticizing those who administer our public school system, we see only greatness and success. As the young people we see mature and grow into positions of leadership, our faith in the future of our country is strengthened.

We express our deepest gratitude to all who participated in the Clint Wasser Memorial Golf Tournament, to Clint’s friends whose idea it was, to those who worked so hard in the heat and rain to prepare food and refreshments, to those who donated supplies and prizes and to those who played in the Tournament, we express our most sincere appreciation.

The accounting is now complete and the Tournament’s proceeds of $8,927 are deposited in the Clint Wasser Memorial Scholarship Fund. What a tribute to Clint and all those who made the tournament possible.

While we are the immediate beneficiaries of the tournament because of the support it offered us, those who will ultimately benefit from the funds raised are future PN-G graduates who wisely choose to attend Clint’s beloved Texas A&M University and who will be selected to receive a Clint Wasser Memorial Scholarship.

Dana and John Wasser

Port Neches