feeling a bit vulnerable and more than a bit pissed off at the Almighty, today...
A good buddy of mine died yesterday..
35 years in..
joined the artillery as a snotnose and rose to be RSM, then went from active to reserve and commissioned from the ranks...returned to active duty, tours in the nasty part of Europe and elsewhere and settled in finally in admin with Brigade HQ...was counting the days til retirement..

We ' played war ' together for a number of years and were looking forward to this spring/summer campaign of blowing up Madison's republican hordes once more...

bastard passed his annual physical just two weeks ago..was playing a round of pick-up basketball and said he wasn't feeling well..buddy was driving him home when he had a heart attack and died in the car...

the Good Padre was on hand to take care of things but, it hurts a bit more when you know those involved. She worked with Kev at HQ and we all chummed around on the ' field of honour '

51 years old...younger than me.. ain't fair...

I'm going to the funeral home tonight for the visitation, then I'm going to the nearest bar...

Service is on Sunday, military honours and all that...will be a good xendoff... just don't think he had to have his ticket punched so early...

where can I file a complaint?

Rocketeer

My condolences to you, his family and friends.

God Bless

The Gunny

Rocketeer

May you cherish the love and memories of those dear to you. My deepest sympathy and prayers are with you, your friend, and his family.

My condolences, on behalf of a grateful Soldier.

CavScout

Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.

THOMAS "STONEWALL" JACKSON
dying words, May 10, 1863



God bless

My condolences Rocketeer.

Thanks for the kind words, boys and girls...

Things are going as well as can be expected for the family. As always the Military network is fully supportive and no stone unturned to help out. There is nothing stronger than the bond among ' brothers'..

Funeral had to be moved to larger facilities as expected turnout has reached over 500!! for the lad's farewell.. His regiment is opening up the Mess to host the after service reception...

Can't ask for a better sendoff than the respect of the gang, a good piper and a room full of boys boasting of his good works...

My condolances to you and the family, Rocket..

And your right, 51 is just too damn young

He's probably getting a reception ready for his friends and loved ones 'up there'.

Ought to be quite the homecomming.

Don't know what his ' reception ' will be like but his sendoff was a wingding.. Generals would ' die' for a funeral as jam packed as ol' Kev's.. 105 mm gun on the church frontlawn. the firing of a 3 pounder, full mil band and piper, a full company for the gun salute, a contingent of re-enactors for a musket volley as well, so many officers and NCO's on hand that they lined both sides of the street leading up to the church..even had some Us Rangers on hand..made the trip from Buffalo..good on' em all

place was SRO speaks volumes to the worth and respect he had as a soldier and a friend.

to top it off the ' hymn ' sung at full volume to milband accompayment by a squad of artillery was Kipling's " Screw Guns"...

back at the Armoury and Mess copious amounts of his favourite Port was drunk in toasts to his honour.

A quiet whip'round overfilled an envelope for his widow to get her over the hump til the paperwork and cheques start coming in and the banks sign off on the death certificates, insurance and stuff..

Man deserved every bit of the hooplah...

me on the other hand...three guys with a six pack and a box of Tim Bits is about what I expect to turnout for my 'going away party '

don't kid yerself. won't be three, it'll at least be four including me.

Gunny...< sniff > I appreciate the sentiment

..but I don't intend on going. Actually, I've made a deal with a little redfaced hornheaded fellow I met in a bar long ago...[and married the Good Padre just to cover my bets...LOL]

I can't go until I've made my millions and I'm no where near that yet...[ insert hysterical laughter here ... ]