rick12string
Caught in the Crossfire
I just wanted to let you guys know that my father passed away Saturday 1/14.
I know I havent been active here very much as Ive been going through some difficult times for a while but I needed to post this.
I just wanted to thank everyone for their support when I posted about him and especially those who pmd me numerous times to see how he was doing which I really appreciated.
He had been sick for quite some time now as many of you know but was always able to bounce back and still do things even if it was in a limited capacity.
We were trying to get up to NJ asap to see him after receiving word that he was suddenly declining rapidly but got a phone call from my sister that he passed as we were leaving.
They had put him on morphine to make him comfortable and she said he was asleep when he passed.
He was a Marine, member of the Central Jersey Leathernecks League, Westfield Detachment and served as Commandant for a while before he became ill. He was involved in many things including organizing and running big fund raisers for St. Jude Childrens Hospital for almost 20 years.
He was buried in his Dress Blues. He had many friends and there were over 2 dozen Marines alone (active and retired) at the funeral with a full honor guard. The Marine ceremony was above and beyond what I expected starting with bagpipes playing the Marines' Hymn from outside as the rest entered the room. It was very difficult, especially during taps. When you see big strapping Marines fighting back tears you know its hard. Each of them truly considered him a brother that will be deeply missed. During the rifle salute, his own M1 Garand was one of the rifles fired which he had used for the same purpose himself many times before. They will keep his rifle and use it in future ceremonies which is something I know he would want rather than it just sitting in a safe.
Its gonna take time to sink in. We used to talk on the phone at least once or twice a week and I still have the impulse or feel that I should give him a call.
Thank you all for reading and the support you have shown.
Rick
I know I havent been active here very much as Ive been going through some difficult times for a while but I needed to post this.
I just wanted to thank everyone for their support when I posted about him and especially those who pmd me numerous times to see how he was doing which I really appreciated.
He had been sick for quite some time now as many of you know but was always able to bounce back and still do things even if it was in a limited capacity.
We were trying to get up to NJ asap to see him after receiving word that he was suddenly declining rapidly but got a phone call from my sister that he passed as we were leaving.
They had put him on morphine to make him comfortable and she said he was asleep when he passed.
He was a Marine, member of the Central Jersey Leathernecks League, Westfield Detachment and served as Commandant for a while before he became ill. He was involved in many things including organizing and running big fund raisers for St. Jude Childrens Hospital for almost 20 years.
He was buried in his Dress Blues. He had many friends and there were over 2 dozen Marines alone (active and retired) at the funeral with a full honor guard. The Marine ceremony was above and beyond what I expected starting with bagpipes playing the Marines' Hymn from outside as the rest entered the room. It was very difficult, especially during taps. When you see big strapping Marines fighting back tears you know its hard. Each of them truly considered him a brother that will be deeply missed. During the rifle salute, his own M1 Garand was one of the rifles fired which he had used for the same purpose himself many times before. They will keep his rifle and use it in future ceremonies which is something I know he would want rather than it just sitting in a safe.
Its gonna take time to sink in. We used to talk on the phone at least once or twice a week and I still have the impulse or feel that I should give him a call.
Thank you all for reading and the support you have shown.
Rick
