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Editor-In-Chief/Vice President
When I first joined the Association I did it to find friends I served
with and to make new Marine Corps friends who value the Corps as I do.
Over the past five years I have realized how important the saying of 'take time
to smell the roses' really is. A flash comes across my mind of someone and
rather than take a mement to really think about the person I figure I will do it
another day when I am not so busy. It happened when my wife and I came
back from the first reunion....rather than stop in Rothchild, Wisconsin (which
was 30 miles off the freeway) to look up Skip Whiteside. He stood up for
me for wedding !. I decided we needed to get home and I would call him
later. I called later....a month later only to find out that Skip died
from an aneurism one week after I should have stopped. I then decided to
search for Tim Kelley, another guy I served with and was in wedding 1. I
found him in Gibraltar, Michigan. We spoke a few times and he promised to
come to the reunion in Washington last year, he was planning to bring the
family. I called him in April to remind him to get his vacation set.
He was killed in a freak accident in February. I wrote to his wife and
daughter to tell them what a fine man Tim was and how he shielded me from
shrapnel in a hole. I received the following letter on Memorial Day 2004.
Dear Mr. Bennett,
I am enclosing some pictures that I found among Tim's things. You probably
can identify the men in these pictures. I do not think Timothy is an any,
but if so, please make a copy for me. I wanted to get these to you before
your next reunion just in case some of these courageous heroes are in
attendance.
I am enclosing a paper that Meghan (Tim's daughter) wrote for a school
assignment. I thought since Memorial Day was upcoming, this paper is an
excellent reminder that we are truly grateful to our superlative veterans.
Since you and many, many men/women are from that sad war of Viet Nam, we are
writing to say THANK YOU for serving our country and all the sacrifices you all
made in keeping our country safe. GOD BLESS YOU!!
Timothy will always be forever in our hearts, not a day goes by we wish he is
with us, on earth. We'd know he is with us daily though, but just to see
his smiley face and to give him a great big hug would be wonderful. We
miss him so! We wish you and all of your family good health and happiness. Love in Action, Marilee & Meghan Kelly.
I will put Meghan's essay in the next newsletter because I think it is important
to share. Unfortunately it takes acts of compassion and caring to make me
and others realize how short our life can be and how important friendships
are. If each of you can think of someone you served with and do some
computer searches and make contact. I found Gerry Van Reusen that
way....well first I found a VanReusen, called the number and found that it was
Gerry's brother and made contact. Richard Camacho found me and made
contact via e-mail. These are important times for all of us....make it a
goal for each member to find and encourage a buddy to attend the reunion.
Now I know why I look forward to reunions....See you there!
Brad
Bennett
Semper Fi We
would like to see more participation from YOU, the member of First
Battalion Fourth Marines. Give us a hand!!!! Send us a Letter to the
Editor, something you would like to share with the membership. Anything -
Jokes, photos, stories, looking for someone..... it is your newsletter......use
it for your needs and communication!!!!! Contact
me...........Did you like the pictures in the last edition? Do you want
more..........Talk to me!!!!!!
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