Camp Holloway Discussion Forum Archive 04 - 01/01/04 to 02/10/06

Re: Back from Panama City
In Response To: Re: Back from Panama City ()

"Bob, The coins are being put to good use."
"No better use for a 119th coin, Bob. None. "

Amen, Bobs.

This is a bit different, and I feel a strong need to discretely relate this...
I had the honor a week ago tonight to place five in the hands of 4 former Marines, and one still on active duty. They were the Platoon Commander, (a 2LT, fresh out of Annapolis) and the Platoon Sergeant (Barney Barnes) of 2nd Platoon, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, and three other Golf guys, Mike Ervin, Larry Ortiz and Lester Tully.

The former 2LT wears four stars today. You've likely seen him on TV several times lately. What a soldier's soldier. He coined me right after I coined him. That one goes to the nephew of Daniel Paul Colgan, PFC, 0331 (11B), of 2/G/2/5, KIA 7 Oct 68, my friend since '59, and forever my Brother. These guys were up to their eyeballs in the liberation of Hue in Tet '68.

Mike Ervin, from whom I got a phone call inviting me to the reception, was likely the last soul to see Dan alive. Dan was literally shot to pieces. I met Mike for the first time only a few months ago, although we'd been only thirty minutes apart for 18 years. I met Barney, Larry and Lester after about four years of correspondence.

When Gators Tom F., Bob K., Mike C. and I read names at The Wall Veteran's Day Weekend two years ago, I had the honor of reading sixty names, including Dan's, and Mike Ervin's friend,
Joe Arnold.

Dan and Joe were killed on the same operation, two
days apart, on the same miserable hill.

I'm sorry for the rambling, and it is very late, but this had to come out.

As thrilled as I was last Friday night, it was
equal to putting one on Paul T. Schmitz, Jr.

Thanks, everyone, and especially Doc, for making this happen, helping us and others to remember.

Lumpy

Messages In This Thread

Back from Panama City
Re: Back from Panama City
Re: Back from Panama City
Re: Back from Panama City
Re: Back from Panama City
Re: Back from Panama City
Re: Back from Panama City
Re: Back from Panama City
Re: Back from Panama City
Re: Back from Panama City
Re: Back from Panama City