The 15th of March is fast approaching. It’s been five years since Mark Legard was taken from us. What are the reasons? No one has come forward with any information on what happened to Mark and the investigation into his death has become a cold case. His family and friends are left hanging onto his memory praying for peace and closure. Each year brings no new news and the heartache only deepens.

We wanted this letter not to be somber, but to celebrate the person that our beloved son, father, brother, cousin, and friend was. We keep Mark’s memory alive through the stories we have to tell about him. Many will remember Mark greeting you with a big smile and a pat on the back. His laugh was boisterous, and his presence was always felt in the room. Mark greatly enjoyed meeting up with his buddies to laugh and talk over games of pool, and he always insisted that “the best beer in the house was always a free one.” He loved humanity, in that sometimes it was hard to define, but was always unquestioning. Mark could be as soft and cuddly as a Teddy bear, or as ferocious as a grizzly in the same tick of a clock, depending on what the situation called for.

A few of his passions in life were arguing about football and debating about politics. He enjoyed being around people, took pleasure in discussing all matters, and was quick-witted in his debates. Mark was also a patriot and took great pride in his country. He served in the Marines. He was proud of his service and could be described as a “Marines’ Marine.” If you had any doubts about it, they were quickly fleeting once you heard his off-key rendition of the Marines’ hymn.

Mark's passion above all else was to his family. He was a devoted father and son. His devotion was not only to his immediate family but to everyone who was his kin. Mark took care of his people. He also had many friends that he cared deeply for and he enjoyed helping out with whatever anyone needed.

Mark loved life but with life comes struggles, and he had experienced his fair share in the few years leading up to his death. His mother, son and niece were tragically killed in a car crash, and as many could understand, this was a heavy blow to our happy-go-lucky friend. But Mark clung to his father and friends and prevailed through the dark times. Mark had found a way to find the beauty in his struggles and had started rebuilding his life.

That brings us back to the question of why again. Why was he taken for us? There must be someone out there who knows something about what happened to Mark on the evening of March 14 while he slept in bed. We are begging for answers and hoping that this letter might even bring up memories that people might not think are significant but could help shine a new light on the investigation. There is a host of family and friends who are desperate to find closure. It is hard enough to lose someone you love, but to not have any answers as to why they were taken is hard to move on from.

Pat Legard,

Plains