TAPS ...... 2008

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....

A Soldier Died Today

Robert Baker Shirley

You may send your condolences to:  Thomas Shirley - tomas_shirley@yahoo.com - (214) 334-3299 (CA).
 

James Allen Hott

Arthur G. Carter

Art Carter passed away He was a true patriot and will be missed. - Ralph Christopher

Brian E. Bartelt

"We met on my first day in country in Dong Tam and after I got all checked in with River Assault Squadron 15 we went and "hoisted" a few beers together." - Charles Allen

Larry Enderud

Leo Mons

Thomas Paquette

Veterans Day 2007 L-R Tom Paquette in Wheel Chair
Wreath Charlie “Boats”Ardinger . Bob “Doc” Pries

Jim George

Daniel S. Dodd

Edward Lammons

Stephen Wilson

Robert Smith

Maurice R. Johnson

David A. Hammond

Robert M. Collins

Wayne Patrick Pallen

John Livingston

Larry J. Moore

  
Richard H. Scott

"Prior to each reunion I would always receive e-mails asking if Scotty would be attending and those who didn’t remember his name would always ask if the Big guy off the Benewah would be attending.  Scotty was a avid golfer and teller of jokes and he cared for his shipmates and friends. But the love of his life was his wife Paula and she was his life.  Paula said Scotty wanted to keep his passing simple with no funeral or wake.  His request was to be cremated with his ashes strewn over his favorite golf course for one last game.  Scotty also loved chocolate so Paula had M&Ms cremated with him.

Gunners Mate Richard Scott was a good sailor, friend and shipmate who will never be forgotten." - Albert Moore

Anthony Tamuzza

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