[Luis Gonzalez]

Please forgive my poor attempt at poetry.

So long CHIEF, watch over us.

[Luis Gonzalez]

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[pubmom]

BUMP!

[habs4ever]

Your thoughts are what count, and they were beautiful.

[RJayneJ]

Thanks for this tribute to a good friend. With your permission I will include it in the Memorial Wall on FRHighlights. Thank for the great picture. Jayne

[n-tres-ted]

Thank you for that fine poem and for posting the wonderful picture of the Chief Negotiator again. He is missed, but undoubtedly will remain an inspiration to many, including myself.

[Texas Yellow Rose]

So long, Chief.

[Bikers4Bush]

I wouldn't say it was a poor attempt at all Luis.

Bump for CHIEF and a very good tribute poem.

[looscannon]

Thank you, Luis. The words are good, and heartfelt. They help.

[Swede Girl]

Thank you, Luis. Beautiful.

[BlueHorseShoe]

Never to be forgotten bump. Rest well, Chief.

[2Jedismom]

A beautiful poem.

[unixfox]

A TRUE PATRIOT !!

I'll miss your insightfullness and humor CHIEF...

[M Kehoe]

Good bye CHIEF. You left us too soon.

5.56mm

[Taxman]

Thank you, my FRiend, for your eloquent poem.

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.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

That was beautiful. The night before he died I read his Old Marine post. I thought Wow.. I am proud to be an American with guys like that around.

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.

[McGavin999]

Luis, that is a wonderful poem, and CHIEF would have loved it. Of course, he would have blustered a bit, and shuffled his feet, but he would have loved it.

[RoseofTexas]

Our Freeper is in heaven now and enjoying the presence of our Lord. You'll be missed! God Bless and comfort your family!

[COB1]

Luis, I think it's beautiful!
It fits the CHIEF perfectly!
God has taken a warrior from us, but He left us with his memory.
May he never be forgotten.

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."

[Illbay]

TAPS

[Enlightiator]

A wonderful tribute, Luis. Chief educated me about the Fair tax, and I always liked his posts.