“The earth lost its best defender.” To requote Captain America — the world lost its best defender. And while death is difficult to discuss, it’s cathartic when mourning a tremendous loss. Tony Stark’s sacrificial death was one felt everywhere — a fictional loss that’ll be with us for years to come because so few before him have had such a poignant, profoundly colossal impact. He was the one in 14,000,605. It had to be him and his death served remarkable purpose. And where great storytelling is concerned, being able to put the greater good of the world before his own self-interest encompassed years of astounding character development. To mourn a legend like Anthony Edward Stark cannot be done alone, it demands a celebration. And that’s what we’re here to do today. We’re here to celebrate a friend, a father, a husband, a genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist. We’re here to celebrate an Avenger. We’re here to celebrate a hero.
