Posted on 02/11/2017 1:00:52 PM PST by BulletBobCo
Two weeks ago, a senior commander with the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division, serving in battle-hardened Afghanistan, sent a letter to Auburn, Alabama.
It was addressed to a national hero.
“You are a true legend…and continue to inspire the troops of today, all across the globe,” he wrote. “We hold one of your edicts close to our hearts – ‘No second-place trophies.’ The winning spirit is alive and well.”
A few months earlier, movie stars Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn made a special trip to Auburn for the sole purpose of seeing this same hero.
He and Gibson had met several times before and have become good friends. Gibson portrayed him in the lead role of the film, “We Were Soldiers.”
Retired Lt. Gen. Hal Moore passed away late Friday night. He would have turned 95 years old on Monday, and the Army hero known for saving most of his men and surviving a fierce standoff despite being outnumbered 10-to-1 in the first major battle of the Vietnam War proved to be a ferocious fighter to the very end.
“He had another stroke last week,” one of his children said Thursday evening. “He’s still hanging tough.”
Moore’s family already was in town this weekend to celebrate his 95th birthday with a reunion of all five children here at their Auburn home that has been in the extended family since 1950.
They held a private family celebration with birthday cake Thursday evening, with longtime family friend Mayor Bill Ham invited to join them.
Ham brought with him a framed proclamation that he presented to Moore and his children soon after the traditional singing of “Happy Birthday” and the siblings’ united effort in blowing out two candles carved into waxed infantrymen.
Ham later pondered, however, where it might hang as he surveyed the memorabilia-covered walls in Moore’s study, including another proclamation or two Ham had presented Moore in years past.
It mattered little. “Any mayor anywhere would be honored to have him as a cherished resident and cherished member of the community,” Ham said of his friend.
ping
R. I. P. Hal Moore.
You done good.
Thankful heart
God Speed and may God Bless
That is American hero. I thank you for your service,Sir. God needs commanders.
RIP, Sir.
RIP for a genuine hero.
God bless you, GEN Moore. You are a great hero and example to many. Go with God.
Gary Owen!
Memo to Hal Moore -
When you get to the LZ at Fiddler’s Green, look for Rescorla’s signal. He will pop smoke for you.
Sad ping to the State list. I had the privilege of shaking his hand when I met Gen. Moore at a Veterans Memorial a few years ago. He was a great man.
Gary Owen! A good and faithful servant is now with the Lord. I met him many years ago at Ft Knox when I was a 2lt. I later had the honor of serving in 3/7 Cav. He is a much better role model than that other famous commander of the 7th Cav. As they say in the movie, Custer was a p###y.
COL Moore: "Do you like training? Because the Sergeant Major and I LOVE training."
RIP soldier your work here is done.
Sorry for the loss Ronnie.
General Moore, you were a soldier’s soldier.
You have earned your eternal billet with our Heavenly Father!
EODGUY
RIP.
Lord, we need a bunch more like him just now.
Our loss is Heaven’s gain...and he is once again united with his beloved Julia.
Thank you for your service, General. “Rest in peace thou good and faithful servant...”
A true American hero. A truly good man. Dutiful, brave soldier and leader of good men.
God bless and hold him dear.
Prayers for his loving family and his humble soul.
ending song from the movie about Col Moore the Battle of La Drang.
Do we have a picture of the guy?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.