Posted on 10/05/2001 1:17:44 PM PDT by Luis Gonzalez
I heard it in the horizon,
just below the line of sight.
I heard it in the stilled darkness,
of a moonlit autumn night.
It called an old, rugged warrior,
called him to his last post.
Defending the gates of Heaven,
commanded by the Holy Ghost.
He’s our friend, and he stands ready,
today, still, as he has every single time.
Anytime his country needed him,
needed him to hold the line.
So tell me, did you hear the bugler’s call?
Did you hear it call our friend?
Don’t be sad, and always remember him,
A Marine, an American, and a Patriot to the end.
The CHIEF reached out and touched all of us in his own special way. Though he is gone, he will never be forgotten.
I ran across a poem a short while ago that has been a source of comfort. The writer is unknown to me, but the poem goes like this:
A ship sets sail in the morning breeze
to start for the blue ocean.
She is the object of beauty and strength.
We watch until she sails away, until at length
she hangs like a white cloud just where the
sky and ocean come down to mingle with each other.
Then someone says, "There, she is gone."
Gone from our sight...that is all.
She is as large in hull and mast and spar
as she was when she left the shore;
Her diminished size is in us, not her-
At the moment we say, "There, she is gone,"
other eyes are watching for her coming,
and other glad voices are ready to take up
the shout, "There she comes."
That is dying........
There are no words in any language powerful enough to bring Herb back. There are words to comfort us in our loss and provide hope for the future.
This poem provides me with a profound sense of comfort and hope. I share it with my fellow FReepers in the hope that you will take some measure of comfort and hope as well.
Then I read of his passing... I am sadder than words can express right now. In the last few weeks I have lost some very inspiring people, It all seems a bit much right now. Heaven must be full of angels tonight... May God ease pain of those close to Chief.
I felt the same way. I enjoyed reading that thread so much. Yesterday seems surreal.
Old Gyrenes never die, they live on in the memory of their comrades-in-arms who loved them.
CHIEF, I know you'll be there at the Gates when I get there to say, "Welcome aboard, Marine."
He gives strength to the weary,
and increases the power of the weak
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31
CHIEF Negotiator is an eagle soaring above the chickens of this world and in the loving arms of God.
Please let CHIEF Negotiator's tragic death remind us all to tell those who are close to us that we love them and that God loves them, too.
God Bless.
Beautiful, Luis...and so accurate. Thanks.......
High Flight O I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And Danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, and done a hundred things You've not dreamed of; Wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence hov'ring there I've chased the shouting wind along and Flung my eager craft through footless halls of air Up up the long delirious burning blue I've topped the wind swept clouds with easy grace Where never lark or even eagle flew And while with silent lifting mind I trod The high untresspassed sanctity of space Put out my hand and touched the face of God
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