TAPS ...... 2011

Those gone but not forgotten

Our prayers and best wishes go out to those left behind. The Brothers and Sisters of the Mobile Riverine Force Association wish the departed fair winds and following seas and our thoughts will always be with you....

TAPS Tribute to a Fallen One

What moves through you is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch, you may not understand why he left this earth so soon, or why he left before you were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, you begin to remember not just that he died, but that he lived. And that his life gave you memories too beautiful to forget.

Remembering Vietnam Veterans
Over 2.6 million served
Over 58,000 gave their lives
They fought for freedom
They fought with honor
In the end they fought for one another

A Soldier Died Today

Charles Campbell

Richard E. Twigg

Craig J. Bronish

"He truly loved the MRFA and would look forward to the Newsletters and the reunions. I am so grateful we were able to attend so many of them and meet so many nice, new friends as well as his old ship mates. Thank you for all you do for these brave men who gave so much of their lives to our country. God Bless you." - Phyllis Bronish

Bill Willis Hickman

"Bill was a longtime friend and will be missed by all." - Johhny Jones (R-92-1)

  
James A. Stone

"Jim's death is a huge loss to us all. His research and knowledge of our part in the Vietnam War is something that can never be replaced. I only hope that he had hard copy of what he knew. He and I had occasion to communicate privately about several things. He and I set each other straight on a couple of occasions about various operations. He was a gentleman and a true scholar. We will all miss him a lot." - Jim Hubbard

"Jim Stone was a brother in combat... he was a go to type of individual, the type that you want watching your back. He has crossed to the other side and will be holding point until we see him again... See you on the other side brother, you stand relieved." - Scott MacDonald

Jerry Paul Keay

"It is with great sadness that I report that my best buddy from Viet Nam, Jerry Paul Keay, has passed away. Jerry was able to make it to the reunion last year.  It was his first and last.  He had looked forward to attending this year.  May he rest in Peace." - Doc Dale Jones

Robert Lawing Jr.

Joe H. Luallen

Bruce F. Williams

Tom Bityk

"Tom gave it his all and fought to the end through all the up’s and downs. He was always up-beat even knowing he was fighting a losing battle he gave it his all.  Tom was a brave man and a great shipmate.  We all have not only lost a shipmate and brother, but a great guy.  The world will be a lonelier place with out Tom 'Cookie' Bityk." - Albert Moore

Dean Allen

"Thank you for this sad notice. CPO Allen was my lead petty officer in the communications division of the Mercer. He was an affable and capable leader whose enthusiasm and good humor were cathartic for all of us in difficult times. I am saddened by his passing. May God grant CPO Allen peace and his family fond Memories." - Shipmate Richard Gallagher.

Ralph Tresser III

"Ralph was a excellent worker and shipmate, but most of all he was a great person.  He always had a big smile for everyone and was known for his love of racing and oh those Hawaiian shirts he would wear to the reunions. I’ll miss my old friend.  He was a good man." - Albert Moore

Jerry Taylor Terry

John Taylor Terry passed away on April 14, 2011 from Agent Orange related cancer.  While in Vietnam he served onboard the USS Nueces (APB-40) in 1968-69.  John was in the AC&R Gang.  He was living in Ormond Beach, FL and is buried at Bushnell National Cemetery.  May our Brother John rest in peace.

  
Douglas Meek

Leonard Reynolds

Kenneth Kirkland

Harry Oosterbroek

Terry L. Clarke

Andrew J. Hart

Frank H. Rawl

Michael Jay Rowe

Richard G. Hanks

Earl W. Swanner

George H. Brown

Robert Daubenspeck

Lee H. Mathers

James B. Johnson

William E. Rodman

A Soldier Died Today
Written by A. Lawrence Vaincourt
http://www.vaincourt.homestead.com

He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes, to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened,
For they knew whereof he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer
For old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer,
For a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary
And quite uneventful life.

He held a job and raised a family,
Quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing,
Though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing
And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories,
From the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
A guy who breaks his promises
And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow who,
In times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country
And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.

It's so easy to forget them,
For many times it's so, 
That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys,
Went to battle, but we know,

It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?

Or would you want a Soldier--
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier,
Who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."