Visiting a friend

[Sam]

I had work business literally across the interstate from Arlington. Couldn't let the opportunity go by to pay my visit.

There were lots of Blackhawks flying around the area at very low level.

http://i.imgur.com/wnIYLYH.jpg (https://imgur.com/wnIYLYH)

It's been 11 years and the section he's in really filled up since my last visit.

I won't forget you.

[opngrnd]

Thank you for sharing this.

[Diamondback]

Vaya con Dios, AC. Never had the chance to know you here, but your presence is still felt even as a Missing Man.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8_FqJcFRas

[markm]

Thanks for sharing.

[militarymoron]

Thanks for posting this, Sam.

[ABNAK]

RIP Chuck. Always the even-handed and even-tempered staff member.

[SteyrAUG]

RIP Chuck. Always the even-handed and even-tempered staff member.

It is hard to impress somebody when you only know them from an online gun forum, he was one of the few. And it was what he actually did, more than what he said.

[markm]

It is hard to impress somebody when you only know them from an online gun forum, he was one of the few. And it was what he actually did, more than what he said.

Yes. Wish I could have met the man in person.

[Caduceus]

It's been 11 years??

[Sam]

And I knew him at least 10 years before he got sick. We talked more in the last 6 months of his life than ever. Even in his final days he OFFERED me encouragements. We finally met a month before he left us. Talking, handling half a dozen custom 1911s, enjoying vegetable soup with our wives.

[LoboTBL]

Thanks for posting this. I had the chance to visit Arlington several years ago and made it a point to leave a penny.

[Diamondback]

Thanks for posting this. I had the chance to visit Arlington several years ago and made it a point to leave a penny.

What's the "coin code" for us who didn't get the chance to serve? The sand in my college mentor's hourglass is starting to run low, and while I'd like to honor the tradition about "throw a nickel on the grass save a fighter pilot's ass" I'm not sure the etiquette for us not part of the "band of brothers."

[LoboTBL]

What's the "coin code" for us who didn't get the chance to serve? The sand in my college mentor's hourglass is starting to run low, and while I'd like to honor the tradition about "throw a nickel on the grass save a fighter pilot's ass" I'm not sure the etiquette for us not part of the "band of brothers."

https://veteransaffinity.org/blog-post/coins-on-a-headstone/

[SteyrAUG]

https://veteransaffinity.org/blog-post/coins-on-a-headstone/

Thank you, I didn't know any of that.

"Leaving a penny at the grave means simply that you visited. A nickel indicates that you and the deceased trained at boot camp together, while a dime means you served with him or her in some capacity. By leaving a quarter at the grave, you are telling the family that you were with the Soldier when he or she was killed."

I used to look at pennies and wonder what kind of "cheap ass" did that and think, if I came prepared I'd have brought a silver dollar from the year the deceased was lost. Now I understand it would be improper in most cases, wish I knew this stuff 20 years ago. Excellent tradition to show families that their loved ones are not forgotten.

[Diamondback]

https://veteransaffinity.org/blog-post/coins-on-a-headstone/

Thanks, Lobo. I knew those meanings, just wasn't sure what was proper for us outsiders. :)

[Sam]

I didn't leave anything. I just told him I missed him and thanked for being there when I needed a friend.

[Artos]

I'm still mind blown by how the time has flown by...doesn't seem that long ago he was posting & taking control of a thread that needed to get back on the rails.

Man, It's been a long time.

[LoboTBL]

I didn't leave anything. I just told him I missed him and thanked for being there when I needed a friend.

There really isn't a better tribute to a friend than that Sam.

[SeriousStudent]

Thanks very much, Sam. As always, you are a friend that never forgets.