Marine, FReeper/Lurker Goes to Final Rest

Vanity Post | Jan 30, 2002

[Don Joe]

My condolences and prayers to you and yours. It's just short of a year since my father died. He was in the Navy during WWII, stationed in Hawaii. I forget the exact name of his job, it was something along the lines of "torpedoman". What it meant was that he was the guy who sat there alone with the earphones on, taking the fuses out of torpedoes and bombs (US and enemy) that didn't go boom when they were supposed to.

Our parents were part of a unique generation, one responsible for giving the world one more chance for peace and prosperity. How sad that the next generation seems so intent on throwing it all away...

[Jhoffa_]

Bump! To our FReeper/Lurker.

[BnBlFlag]

May God rest your soul, Sir. Semper Fi!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

May God Welcome him Home and comfort you and your family.

[proud American in Canada]

May he rest in peace. Thank you to him for his courageous service. It's nice to know he was a FReeper. :)

[bootless]

My condolescences to you ... and thanks to your father for his fine service. Semper Fi and God bless.

[jellybean]

My condolences. I'll keep your families in my prayers.

Welcome Bizzy. I hope this is the first of many posts we'll see from you.

[lowbridge]

A big salute to an American Hero.

[rimtop56]

Thank you for being so thoughtful as to tell everyone here about your father-in-law's passing. I salute him and his sacrifice's on behalf of our country.

My dad also lived through the depression and served in WWII. He is still with us and I often thank him for what he did in the war. (He was only 17, got special permission to enter early, fought in Pelalu and elsewhere in the Pacific.)

My sympathy and condolences to you and all of his family. What a heritage he left you.

[Snow Bunny]

I am so sorry about your father in -law. What a wonderful man he was. Thank you for sharing with us about him. Prayers for you and your family.

TAPS for your Father in -Law.......

We have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats, and usually creates tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be pleased to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention.

Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern, and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the south when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.

But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals, was born.

Day is done
Gone the sun
From the Lakes
From the Hills
From the Sky.

All is well,
safely rest.
God is nigh.

Fading light
Dims the sight
And a star
Gems the sky,
Gleaming bright

From afar,
Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
Neath the sky,

As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.

[Snow Bunny]

HI Dukie. My prayers for you and your family too.I am sorry about your Father.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Semper Fi, from a Marine wife

[NCEaglette]

Semper Fi, Robert. My hearfelt thanks for your service to our country!

Apple Pan Dowdy, may God comfort you and your family in the days ahead.

[GussiedUp]

When he looks on Heaven's Scene
May he find those streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

Rest in Peace, Sir, and Semper Fi

[HighWheeler]

he avidly read and enjoyed all of your posts daily. He was a man who exemplified courage, strength and an enduring love to his family, his friends, and his country. He was proud to have had the privilege of serving his country for 41 years as a Marine Aviator, active in W.W.II as a flight instructor, then in the Korean War as a pilot (flying off the Yorktown) where he was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Air Medals in addition to other Service Medals, followed by 20 years in the Marine Corps Active Reserves until 1983.

What a great, honorable hero and American, your father-in-law. FReerepublic and the U.S. has suffered a significant loss with the passing of Robert. God Bless.

[4TheFlag]

Thanks for the Ping SB..

May this Brother be with God, and Peace and Happiness.

Semper Fi and SALUTE.

APD, SO SORRY at your loss.....

[BraveMan]

[Dubya]

DUTY DONE AT HOME NOW

[RightOnline]

We're honored and humbled. Your father-in-law is (not "was"; IS) a true American hero, hands down, bar none. God bless him and receive him in His arms for his service to our country............our condolences to you and your family................and Semper Fi.

[libsrscum]

Damn fine American, Robert! Rest easy now...

Semper Fi