To Kevin Coulman and Tom Thorstad who along with 240 other some odd Marines that went to Beirut as "peacekeepers" and never came back. I miss you guys and I won't ever forget. Semper Fidelis and Rest in Peace.
To Frank "Dad" Baker: One of Darby's Rangers until their devastation at Sicily. Transferred into the Army Air Force and had two B17s shot out from under him in the ETO. The second time around only he and the radio operator made it out alive. Bounced around as a professional diver, a hunting guide, an ambulance driver and a football coach before becoming my high shcool history teacher. Dad Baker taught more than just history; he taught me about guns and hunting and about life. He also kept me on the "right path" when no one else could. I never had the chance to properly thank him, he passed away when I was in the Marines. God bless you, Dad. You were like a father to me.
I would also like to take time to recognize three of the "old breed" that have passed from the scene recently:
Marvin McMillan: Navigator on a B29 with numerous missions over Japan. I passed by the ranch entrance the other day, Mason County just isn't the same anymore. I hope they broadcast Aggie football games in heaven.
"Doc" Carlisle: Two Silver Stars as an infantry officer in Korea, one of the "Frozen Chosen". All the local Marines that heard attended the funeral, sir. We did our best, but you deserved far more. ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE.
Maj. Gen. Marion E. Carl, USMC: First Marine Corps ace, among the first to fly a helicopter and first Marine to land a jet aboard an aircraft carrier. Flew his first combat mission over Midway and his last over Vietnam, racking up 18 and 1/2 air victories in the process, mostly in Wildcats at Guadalcanal. Was a test pilot in the 1950s and held numerous speed and altitude records. A real, honest to God warrior and American hero who was murdered in his own home by some drug crazed puke that wasn't fit to live in the same nation that this man helped sustain. General Carl was a hero to the end, taking the bullet that was meant for his wife. The General was buried at Arlington, I was told that there were thousands of mourners. His book "Pushing The Envelope" should be required reading at O.C.S.
I sit here and review this and realize how rich my own personal life has been in having met these men and how blessed our nation was in having them in times of need. Good Lord, what spark of divine providence has steered our nation through the past two centuries with men such as these manning the helm? America is great only because God has blessed us with men of greatness; of courage, of integrity and of honor. I fear sometimes that we may well suffer the same fate of ancient Israel when they turned their backs on God and their true heros.
Please excuse the ramblings, it is late and I am tired. But I wanted someone to know that I still remembered.
God Bless America and the men who have served her.
Paladin
[This message has been edited by Paladin (edited November 12, 1999).]
[This message has been edited by Paladin (edited November 12, 1999).]