bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
A Marine's Memorial Day:
"For most Americans, Memorial Day is the start of summer, BBQs, and a long weekend. That was true for me too until May 1967. I was an Active Duty Marine escorting the remains of another Marine killed in combat. I picked up the remains (closed casket) with my detail and met the family at Parris Island Marine Corps Base SC for interment in the veterans cemetery. After a short service, a 21-gun salute, and the folding of the casket flag I approached the family on bended knee. With tears cascading down my face I presented the flag 'On Behalf of a Grateful Nation' to the Marine's mother. She accepted the flag and gently caressed my face saying: 'Thank you son, let's go home and celebrate the life of your little brother Tommy.' Memorial Day has never been the same."
-- Col R.T. Poore Sr, USMC (Retired)
Lance Corporal Thomas Wyatt Poore
K Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines
KIA 20 May 1967 (Age 20), 1 Year in Service
Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam
Panel 20E, Line 66
TogetherWeServed - LCpl Thomas Wyatt Poore
The author and his family are known to me, but I was unaware of this funeral event. Having just read this, it brought tears to my eyes and felt like a touching homage to the meaning of Memorial Day.
"For most Americans, Memorial Day is the start of summer, BBQs, and a long weekend. That was true for me too until May 1967. I was an Active Duty Marine escorting the remains of another Marine killed in combat. I picked up the remains (closed casket) with my detail and met the family at Parris Island Marine Corps Base SC for interment in the veterans cemetery. After a short service, a 21-gun salute, and the folding of the casket flag I approached the family on bended knee. With tears cascading down my face I presented the flag 'On Behalf of a Grateful Nation' to the Marine's mother. She accepted the flag and gently caressed my face saying: 'Thank you son, let's go home and celebrate the life of your little brother Tommy.' Memorial Day has never been the same."
-- Col R.T. Poore Sr, USMC (Retired)
Lance Corporal Thomas Wyatt Poore
K Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines
KIA 20 May 1967 (Age 20), 1 Year in Service
Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam
Panel 20E, Line 66
TogetherWeServed - LCpl Thomas Wyatt Poore
The author and his family are known to me, but I was unaware of this funeral event. Having just read this, it brought tears to my eyes and felt like a touching homage to the meaning of Memorial Day.
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