Ginger the Dog also has a storied history, having helped train the author in the Smokey Mountains in preparation for his trek across Switzerland to celebrate his 70th birthday.
That she did. At 14 1/2 years she is now the matriarch of the family. When she was younger, she did trail runs with me of up to 13 miles in the Smoky Mountains. A good friend.
Thanks, Karl. As I reflect on the people that you and I knew and have counted as friends and comrades, I realize that we did not fully appreciate at the time how blessed we were to be associated with such heroes. I use that word seldom and with great discretion, but it is a true description, and most people will never know it.
You could do him one more honor, they have a reunion for each class every five years at West Point. In the chapel is a service for those who have passed away. The names of each are read, you can personally read his name. Contact West Point Reunion representatives to make arrangements.
Thank you for your input and suggestion. But the names read at the memorial services in the Cadet Chapel usually are only of those who were killed in action. In the past, I have had the honor of reading the name of a classmate who was killed in Vietnam. But it, even if Ralph’s name were to be read at such a reunion Memorial, I would defer to one of his classmates to do so.
But I appreciate your thoughtfulness in making the suggestion, so thanks again.
You were fortunate not only to serve under such a man but to establish a friendship with him.
Where will we find such men? Our Country has been blessed with citizens willing to step up when we need them most. It may seem like there are fewer of them now, but those willing to pick up Col. Puckett's torch still exist.
I live in Columbus and knew COL Puckett/know Jeanne. (I'm from here originally, and returned back to the JAG office after going off active duty. Just retired as a civilian.) I had lots of Captains come through my division, and COL Puckett was kind enough to autograph several copies of his books for me to give to them at farewells. Needless to say, I only gave them to the good ones - the ones who were attorneys AND wanted to be good military officers. ;) We've lost a great one. At his MOH ceremony, his military escort kept trying to help him stand up or put an arm out for him to hold. She didn't know COL Puckett. Even in his 90s, he was going to stand tall and on his own in front of the Commander in Chief. Thank you for the wonderful pictures.
Receiving the Medal of Honor from the likes of Joe Biden is a dishonoring of the honor and Colonel Pucket should've refused accepting it from that traitor.
Steven, I understand your sentiment but respectfully disagree. Ralph would be the first to say that the MOH was bigger than any single man. The recipients generally try to keep anything associated with the Medal apolitical.
I will give you one example: in 2022 I attended the annual reunion, held by the Medal of Honor Foundation for all of the MOH recipients. Most living recipients attend. The guest speaker at the formal dinner on Saturday evening was Nikki Haley, who was a personal friend of one of the recipients. She gave what was, in effect, her standard stump speech. It was fairly political. One of the soldiers at my table, said, “I agree with almost everything that she said, but this was the wrong audience for that speech.” he was correct.
And COL Puckett would also tell you that his MOH was also a reflection of the actions of his brave men and he couldn’t refuse it on their behalf.
You are not receiving it from Joe Biden. You are receiving it from the President of the United States of America. Politics has no place here. No matter what you think of the kid sniffing, wife stealing head of the Biden crime family.
You are correct Gene. If you are familiar with some of my other writings on this Substack, you will see that I have been very critical of Joe Biden. But in this article, I attempted to set that aside and refer to him respectfully, not as an individual, but as the President.
It is sort of like the annual Founders Day dinners that West Point societies across the globe hold every year. There are a series of toast, including to the President. No matter who the President is, or what we think of him individually and his policies, we honor the office, not the man, with a toast.
Well said, John! Great tribute for a great American ...
Thanks, Eric. It will happen to all of us, but Ralph’s death is still a great loss. He was quite the man.
Ginger the Dog also has a storied history, having helped train the author in the Smokey Mountains in preparation for his trek across Switzerland to celebrate his 70th birthday.
That she did. At 14 1/2 years she is now the matriarch of the family. When she was younger, she did trail runs with me of up to 13 miles in the Smoky Mountains. A good friend.
John - - Heartfelt words masterfully written.
Appreciate your sorrow in the loss of a close friend.
I count it a blessing to also have guys, such as you, and our Classmates, as friends.
Best Wishes from Another Zooian
Thanks, Karl. As I reflect on the people that you and I knew and have counted as friends and comrades, I realize that we did not fully appreciate at the time how blessed we were to be associated with such heroes. I use that word seldom and with great discretion, but it is a true description, and most people will never know it.
He truly led the way!
He did indeed. Thanks, Neil.
You could do him one more honor, they have a reunion for each class every five years at West Point. In the chapel is a service for those who have passed away. The names of each are read, you can personally read his name. Contact West Point Reunion representatives to make arrangements.
Thank you for your input and suggestion. But the names read at the memorial services in the Cadet Chapel usually are only of those who were killed in action. In the past, I have had the honor of reading the name of a classmate who was killed in Vietnam. But it, even if Ralph’s name were to be read at such a reunion Memorial, I would defer to one of his classmates to do so.
But I appreciate your thoughtfulness in making the suggestion, so thanks again.
God Bless Col. Puckett. What beautiful eulogy.
You were fortunate not only to serve under such a man but to establish a friendship with him.
Where will we find such men? Our Country has been blessed with citizens willing to step up when we need them most. It may seem like there are fewer of them now, but those willing to pick up Col. Puckett's torch still exist.
Heroism at the level of COL Puckett's beggars all powers of praise and awe, but this eulogy is as worthy as words can be. Well said, John.
I live in Columbus and knew COL Puckett/know Jeanne. (I'm from here originally, and returned back to the JAG office after going off active duty. Just retired as a civilian.) I had lots of Captains come through my division, and COL Puckett was kind enough to autograph several copies of his books for me to give to them at farewells. Needless to say, I only gave them to the good ones - the ones who were attorneys AND wanted to be good military officers. ;) We've lost a great one. At his MOH ceremony, his military escort kept trying to help him stand up or put an arm out for him to hold. She didn't know COL Puckett. Even in his 90s, he was going to stand tall and on his own in front of the Commander in Chief. Thank you for the wonderful pictures.
Receiving the Medal of Honor from the likes of Joe Biden is a dishonoring of the honor and Colonel Pucket should've refused accepting it from that traitor.
Steven, I understand your sentiment but respectfully disagree. Ralph would be the first to say that the MOH was bigger than any single man. The recipients generally try to keep anything associated with the Medal apolitical.
I will give you one example: in 2022 I attended the annual reunion, held by the Medal of Honor Foundation for all of the MOH recipients. Most living recipients attend. The guest speaker at the formal dinner on Saturday evening was Nikki Haley, who was a personal friend of one of the recipients. She gave what was, in effect, her standard stump speech. It was fairly political. One of the soldiers at my table, said, “I agree with almost everything that she said, but this was the wrong audience for that speech.” he was correct.
And COL Puckett would also tell you that his MOH was also a reflection of the actions of his brave men and he couldn’t refuse it on their behalf.
You are not receiving it from Joe Biden. You are receiving it from the President of the United States of America. Politics has no place here. No matter what you think of the kid sniffing, wife stealing head of the Biden crime family.
You are correct Gene. If you are familiar with some of my other writings on this Substack, you will see that I have been very critical of Joe Biden. But in this article, I attempted to set that aside and refer to him respectfully, not as an individual, but as the President.
It is sort of like the annual Founders Day dinners that West Point societies across the globe hold every year. There are a series of toast, including to the President. No matter who the President is, or what we think of him individually and his policies, we honor the office, not the man, with a toast.