Those gone but not forgotten
This page is dedicated to the memory of our deceased MRFA members
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
Written by A. Lawrence Vaincourt
www.vaincourt.homestead.com
Roger Marvin Goff
Roger Marvin Goff passed away on January 22, 2023. While in Vietnam he served with Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division in 1967-68. Roger is survived by his wife Deborah. They were married for 52 years
Gary B. Kroshus
Former Member Gary B. Kroshus passed away on January 27, 2023 due to an Agent Orange related cancer. While in Vietnam he served with the 9th Division Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) from April 1967 to April 1968. Gary is survived by his wife Barbara
Charles Edward Ardinger
Plankowner Member BMC Charles Edward Ardinger (USN Ret.) passed away on January 3, 2023. While in Vietnam he served with River Assault Squadron 15, River Assault Division 151 as Boat Captain of T-151-11 from May1968 to July 1969. Charles is survived by his wife Georginia of 57 years
James Eugene Meehan
Member James Eugene “Big Jim” Meehan passed away on February 6, 2023. While in Vietnam he served with Inshore Underwater Group-1, Unit 4 in Nha Trang from August 1966 to August 1967. He is survived by his wife Diane.
James Ray Schwan
Former Member James Ray “Jim” Schwan passed away on February 9, 2023 following a long bout with Lymphoma. While in Vietnam he served with River Assault Squadron 15 – River Assault Division 152 in 1969-70. Jim is survived by his wife Elaine of 51 years.
Gary Lee Forester
Gary Lee Forester passed away on February 14, 2023. While in Vietnam he served with River Assault Squadrons 13 & 15 – River Assault Divisions 132 & 152 onboard an Assault Support Patrol Boat and Armored Troop Carrier in 1969-1970. Gary is survived by his daughters, Rhonda “Buffy” Forester and Angela “Missy” Campbell and his son, Johnathan Shane Forester
James Michael Reilly Jr.
Member James Michael Reilly Jr. passed away at home on February 13, 2023. While in Vietnam he served with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division from July 1968 to July 1969. James is survived by his wife Raewai.
Lawrence W. Maloney
Member Lawrence W. “Larry” Maloney passed away on March 9, 2023. While in Vietnam he served with Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 9th Infantry Division from January to September 1968. He is survived by his wife Sandra.
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 sometimes 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 it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country
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 want a politician
With his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier,
Who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country
And 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,
Then 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 a paper that would say:
Our Country is in, mourning,
For a soldier died today.