John, I always try to remember my four boys on Memorial Day = Guy Hester '69, Harry Hayes '68, Kenny Cummings '68, Rick Bickford '67. They didn't get to live the rich and full lives we have had. God bless them and be grateful.
Excellent and very moving, John, thank you. My father served two tours (back-to-back) in Vietnam; thankfully, he returned to us and continued being the best dad I could have ever hoped for. I was fortunate to serve as commander of A Troop, 1-9 CAV when it was at Ft. Lewis, so I feel a special kinship with all those 1-9 CAV troopers who went before me. As an OEF and OIF vet, I too know the grief--then and to this day--of losing buddies and comrades and the odd sense of feeling grateful and blessed (and so incredibly lucky) for having survived, along with the almost everpresent awareness (bordering on guilt) that I was able to live out my life while they never had the great good fortune to do so themselves. (I cannot thank God enough for all my blessings, but I try). It is heartbreaking that the once solemn nation-wide remembrance of Memorial Day--its history and what it stands for--has become barely an afterthought (if that) in our modern-day society (and "culture") that cares little for the past and its significance, or of the incalculable sacrifice of millions.
God Bless Garney, and ALL the Garneys throughout this Country's history who gave their last full measure so I - we - received the gift of experiencing our todays and tomorrows.
And God Bless you, John, and all the others who were there to feel their loss.
Thank you brother. Unfortunately there are all too many of them, but all we can do is try to keep their memories alive. I can't do justice to them all but I hope people will follow my suggestion to scroll through Faces on the Wall periodically. It is both sobering and heart rending.
My thoughts today and each week always go to Tom Hayes WP '69 and Steve Mullen, Texas A&M '69. Tom was in rehab for a year - 6 months in Japan, 6 months at Walter Reed. He switched from Inf to Aviation - was #1 in Advanced Inf Course, #1 at CGSC, #1 at Army War College, Bde CO of #1 Aviation Bde. Then he found his body consumed by cancer from Agent Orange. Steve was a MAC-SOG team leader of a 20-man group of Montagnards operating in Laos - black helicopters, black uniforms, no insignia. When he was done with combat time, he asked to go to the command shop planning his operations, where he was sent on aerial recon flights over his area of combat operations. Plane was shot down; his body was never found. He was listed as MIA for 3 years; then "someone" got that changed to KIA. He would fly to my location each month in a black helicopter; I was moved around regularly, but he always found out where I was - he always visited until my last month in country.
Yes, there are others in my emotions - these two stay inside and never leave for any vacation trips.
John, I always try to remember my four boys on Memorial Day = Guy Hester '69, Harry Hayes '68, Kenny Cummings '68, Rick Bickford '67. They didn't get to live the rich and full lives we have had. God bless them and be grateful.
Cheers,
Them and all too many others, Rick.
Agree. But you have to say names on Memorial Day, or they die.
Excellent and very moving, John, thank you. My father served two tours (back-to-back) in Vietnam; thankfully, he returned to us and continued being the best dad I could have ever hoped for. I was fortunate to serve as commander of A Troop, 1-9 CAV when it was at Ft. Lewis, so I feel a special kinship with all those 1-9 CAV troopers who went before me. As an OEF and OIF vet, I too know the grief--then and to this day--of losing buddies and comrades and the odd sense of feeling grateful and blessed (and so incredibly lucky) for having survived, along with the almost everpresent awareness (bordering on guilt) that I was able to live out my life while they never had the great good fortune to do so themselves. (I cannot thank God enough for all my blessings, but I try). It is heartbreaking that the once solemn nation-wide remembrance of Memorial Day--its history and what it stands for--has become barely an afterthought (if that) in our modern-day society (and "culture") that cares little for the past and its significance, or of the incalculable sacrifice of millions.
Thank you for your very insightful comment.
God Bless Garney, and ALL the Garneys throughout this Country's history who gave their last full measure so I - we - received the gift of experiencing our todays and tomorrows.
And God Bless you, John, and all the others who were there to feel their loss.
Welcome home. We surely won't forget.
Thank you brother. Unfortunately there are all too many of them, but all we can do is try to keep their memories alive. I can't do justice to them all but I hope people will follow my suggestion to scroll through Faces on the Wall periodically. It is both sobering and heart rending.
Blue, Welcome Home Brother. regards, Alemaster
Thanks Brother.
My thoughts today and each week always go to Tom Hayes WP '69 and Steve Mullen, Texas A&M '69. Tom was in rehab for a year - 6 months in Japan, 6 months at Walter Reed. He switched from Inf to Aviation - was #1 in Advanced Inf Course, #1 at CGSC, #1 at Army War College, Bde CO of #1 Aviation Bde. Then he found his body consumed by cancer from Agent Orange. Steve was a MAC-SOG team leader of a 20-man group of Montagnards operating in Laos - black helicopters, black uniforms, no insignia. When he was done with combat time, he asked to go to the command shop planning his operations, where he was sent on aerial recon flights over his area of combat operations. Plane was shot down; his body was never found. He was listed as MIA for 3 years; then "someone" got that changed to KIA. He would fly to my location each month in a black helicopter; I was moved around regularly, but he always found out where I was - he always visited until my last month in country.
Yes, there are others in my emotions - these two stay inside and never leave for any vacation trips.
Some thing you can never forget.