One usually thinks of Roll Call in light of taking attendance...seeing who is present and who is absent. But after attending the funeral of one of our Marines and hearing Roll Call with that one absent, I will never think of Roll Call in the same way. It began well enough, with each person present answering to their name...then, "Major J'' again, louder "Major J" and a third time yelling "Major J"...who would never answer another Roll Call here. It was a hard thing to experience. And something I would be reminded of at other times.
July 18th, 2006 we visited Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. I had made contact with Lt Col O and he set up for us to visit with the Marines there.
At 07:30 we met the Marines at their barracks for formation. Ed was given the opportunity to speak to the group and give each one a book and visit with them infividually. After that we went over to the hospital. Lt Col O wanted us to meet the family of a young Marine who was in ICU. The family was not in the waiting room or the ICU. When Lt Col O went into the ICU Cpl B was awake and said he'd like to have us come in to visit so we were allowed to see him.
We visited a short while. Ed gave him one of his books and a card that some of our local Marine Mom's had signed and sent with us to pass out. An aide read the card to Cpl B. and that brought a smile to his handsome young face. His injuries were very serious: he had lost his left arm and leg and had serious injuries to his entire left side.
When we returned in September and met with our Marines for formation we learned that Cpl B had just passed away. I wanted to cry...my eyes met Ed's and I turned away quickly to wipe away the tears. I felt I must be strong but it was not easy. Now his is one of the names I say to myself when listening to our National Anthem...he paid the highest price along with so many others to keep our nation free. I will never forget him.
Connie Beesley
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
First Day of School
Its been hectic getting used to new schedules and getting the children off to school each morning....but we are beginning to settle into the routine. All of this made me think of and remember an article that I had written for Salute an online newsletter. I thought I would reprint it here for you to read.
First Day of School Salute August 2006
A few days ago, we were up early to see our daughter's four children off to their first day of school. As they came by, I took pictures and reminded them to stop by after school so that we could follow our "tradition" of tracing their hand in
their school albums. Dillon, the oldest seemed nervous as he left for his first day of high school! Brittnee is still at the middle school and seemed excited as she left...and also a little disappointed because only about half of her friends will share the same lunch period. An hour latter the two younger boys came by on their way to the bus stop...which is at the end of our drive way. Keith, the 4th grader seemed upset and when I asked him why he said it was because he had the "meanest" teacher for math. I found out it is someone I know well...she also taught his mother. I told him to tell her I said "hello" and that it would help that she knows his grandparents. And the youngest, Jace, who is starting 1st grade was so eager to be spending the entire day and school AND FINALLY getting to eat in the lunch room!
When they were gone, I reflected on ALL of my first days of school AND there were very many as we moved often. From kindergarten to graduation I attended 13 different schools. Many times it was more than one school in a school year! In the 8th grade I had three first days. That year started with the actual first day of school in a familiar school with all of the friends I had known for a few years in Alameda, California. Going from the 4th grade to the beginning of the 8th in one school was something I would soon learn to miss. Then we got the news that Dad was being transferred. This time instead of moving from one town to another, we were going out of state. We were off to Ohio where I had my second "first" day of school as an 8th grader. This would be the sort of "first" days I would have often...being the "new kid" in school. It wasn't long before we learned that plans were changing. I would not have the time to make many friends in Ohio as the Navy decided they needed to send Dad to Louisiana. Soon, I was once more the "new kid". I began to see how different our country is from state to state...each area has its own identity. After a short time in school, we were out for the summer and we learned a lot about "humidity"...the weather is also different in each area of our country. Oh, and don't forget about the "bugs"...trust me, they grow much bigger in Louisiana than in California! It was in Louisiana that I had my first day of high school and my first "crush" on a boy. I still remember his name. But there was not time to see if I'd have my first date there because before the year was over we moved yet again.
I was able to only have two "first days" for my sophomore and junior years, though each of those were in a different city in California. At least I started and finished at the same school. It is a good thing that I am the oldest of a large family. Even if I was not able to make many friends there was always someone to play with!
And then I was a SENIOR. I wasn't all that happy with the school I was attending in San Francisco so when Dad came home and told us we would be moving back to Alameda and that the last of my "first" days would be at Encinal High School, I was excited. As I had hoped when I went into the office I saw a face that looked familiar. It turned out to be a friend I'd had in elementary school. And there would be others that I would re-connect with, so it wasn't bad at all to be coming in this late even if it was my senior year. I made some new friends and still keep in touch with many.
Though there were many moves and many changes growing up, I was always so proud of my Dad's service to our nation. I felt a part of his job and made the moves with very little complaining and only a few tears as we said our "goodbyes".
It is still this way for our military families. We owe them and those who serve our deepest thanks. They give up a lot to keep this nation of ours safe.
First Day of School Salute August 2006
A few days ago, we were up early to see our daughter's four children off to their first day of school. As they came by, I took pictures and reminded them to stop by after school so that we could follow our "tradition" of tracing their hand in
their school albums. Dillon, the oldest seemed nervous as he left for his first day of high school! Brittnee is still at the middle school and seemed excited as she left...and also a little disappointed because only about half of her friends will share the same lunch period. An hour latter the two younger boys came by on their way to the bus stop...which is at the end of our drive way. Keith, the 4th grader seemed upset and when I asked him why he said it was because he had the "meanest" teacher for math. I found out it is someone I know well...she also taught his mother. I told him to tell her I said "hello" and that it would help that she knows his grandparents. And the youngest, Jace, who is starting 1st grade was so eager to be spending the entire day and school AND FINALLY getting to eat in the lunch room!
When they were gone, I reflected on ALL of my first days of school AND there were very many as we moved often. From kindergarten to graduation I attended 13 different schools. Many times it was more than one school in a school year! In the 8th grade I had three first days. That year started with the actual first day of school in a familiar school with all of the friends I had known for a few years in Alameda, California. Going from the 4th grade to the beginning of the 8th in one school was something I would soon learn to miss. Then we got the news that Dad was being transferred. This time instead of moving from one town to another, we were going out of state. We were off to Ohio where I had my second "first" day of school as an 8th grader. This would be the sort of "first" days I would have often...being the "new kid" in school. It wasn't long before we learned that plans were changing. I would not have the time to make many friends in Ohio as the Navy decided they needed to send Dad to Louisiana. Soon, I was once more the "new kid". I began to see how different our country is from state to state...each area has its own identity. After a short time in school, we were out for the summer and we learned a lot about "humidity"...the weather is also different in each area of our country. Oh, and don't forget about the "bugs"...trust me, they grow much bigger in Louisiana than in California! It was in Louisiana that I had my first day of high school and my first "crush" on a boy. I still remember his name. But there was not time to see if I'd have my first date there because before the year was over we moved yet again.
I was able to only have two "first days" for my sophomore and junior years, though each of those were in a different city in California. At least I started and finished at the same school. It is a good thing that I am the oldest of a large family. Even if I was not able to make many friends there was always someone to play with!
And then I was a SENIOR. I wasn't all that happy with the school I was attending in San Francisco so when Dad came home and told us we would be moving back to Alameda and that the last of my "first" days would be at Encinal High School, I was excited. As I had hoped when I went into the office I saw a face that looked familiar. It turned out to be a friend I'd had in elementary school. And there would be others that I would re-connect with, so it wasn't bad at all to be coming in this late even if it was my senior year. I made some new friends and still keep in touch with many.
Though there were many moves and many changes growing up, I was always so proud of my Dad's service to our nation. I felt a part of his job and made the moves with very little complaining and only a few tears as we said our "goodbyes".
It is still this way for our military families. We owe them and those who serve our deepest thanks. They give up a lot to keep this nation of ours safe.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Another Fantastic Trip! August 2008
Things get hectic as school approaches...then add having company, time can get away from you! I'll be taking pictures tomorrow as school starts for our four grandchildren and we will keep the "tradition" of tracing their hand prints when they get home for their school albums. We have done this since each one started school and I think they enjoy seeing how their hand prints get larger each year. The oldest, Dillon, will be a Junior this year. Brittnee is starting at the high school and Keith moves up to the Middle school (sixth grade) this year leaving Jace, the youngest at the elementary school. Hopefully we will get back into a routine again soon and I will post on a more regular basis.
I want to encourage everyone to Aim high....Dream Large...Because goals can be achieved....and Dreams can come true. We had wanted to meet Mr. Ross Perot for some time AND we were finally able to do just that on August 6th.
In the hall just before we reached his office we encountered two rows of sculptures of children. Several young girls in playful poses...one on her knees reaching out in front of her, two boys fishing (something our grandchildren enjoy doing frequently), one boy with a soccer ball and one with a football. What a tribute to his grandchildren! Later as we were getting out of the elevator we would meet his oldest grandson...I recognized him as the football player. He told us they weren't too crazy about posing for those statues but appreciated them now that they were older. Mr. Perot was waiting for us at the end of the hallway.
We so appreciated that he took time from his busy schedule to spend some time with us as we had wanted to thank him in person for letting us know what he thought of Eddie's book. It means a lot when someone like him takes the time to read your book and personally tell you he enjoyed reading it. We were glad to have that opportunity.
Mr. Perot showed us around his office which is so full of history. We also learned that he has a wonderful sense of humor! He had one of his staff show us around the rest of the building. What a collection of events and history from his life. This was a day we will always remember.
After our visit we continued on our way to San Antonio. We had not been able to make reservations at the hotel on base but decided to check to see if they had a room. When Eddie asked at the desk the gentleman said "we have no rooms".
But Eddie said..."are you sure you don't have just one room?" The lady behind the desk said to give us a room AND we got in! We always prefer staying on base as then we are able to visit with the injured troops and their family members that are staying there. We spend as much time as we can in the family room or outside where many gather. We are so blessed to be able to visit and spend time with those who have served our nation. Eddie gave each one a book and left many in the family room for those we missed.
In the morning we went to the Center for the Intrepid to meet with our Marines and the Marine Corps League members who come every Thursday bringing breakfast! We had time to visit with each of them.
From there we went to the hospital to visit and leave more books. We gave out about 100 on this trip and hope to be able to order more books soon as our supply is getting low. It is amazing how we always seem to have "just enough" to travel and do this for those who have been injured. We feel blessed having the opportunity to visit our military hospitals.
Connie Beesley
I want to encourage everyone to Aim high....Dream Large...Because goals can be achieved....and Dreams can come true. We had wanted to meet Mr. Ross Perot for some time AND we were finally able to do just that on August 6th.
In the hall just before we reached his office we encountered two rows of sculptures of children. Several young girls in playful poses...one on her knees reaching out in front of her, two boys fishing (something our grandchildren enjoy doing frequently), one boy with a soccer ball and one with a football. What a tribute to his grandchildren! Later as we were getting out of the elevator we would meet his oldest grandson...I recognized him as the football player. He told us they weren't too crazy about posing for those statues but appreciated them now that they were older. Mr. Perot was waiting for us at the end of the hallway.
We so appreciated that he took time from his busy schedule to spend some time with us as we had wanted to thank him in person for letting us know what he thought of Eddie's book. It means a lot when someone like him takes the time to read your book and personally tell you he enjoyed reading it. We were glad to have that opportunity.
Mr. Perot showed us around his office which is so full of history. We also learned that he has a wonderful sense of humor! He had one of his staff show us around the rest of the building. What a collection of events and history from his life. This was a day we will always remember.
After our visit we continued on our way to San Antonio. We had not been able to make reservations at the hotel on base but decided to check to see if they had a room. When Eddie asked at the desk the gentleman said "we have no rooms".
But Eddie said..."are you sure you don't have just one room?" The lady behind the desk said to give us a room AND we got in! We always prefer staying on base as then we are able to visit with the injured troops and their family members that are staying there. We spend as much time as we can in the family room or outside where many gather. We are so blessed to be able to visit and spend time with those who have served our nation. Eddie gave each one a book and left many in the family room for those we missed.
In the morning we went to the Center for the Intrepid to meet with our Marines and the Marine Corps League members who come every Thursday bringing breakfast! We had time to visit with each of them.
From there we went to the hospital to visit and leave more books. We gave out about 100 on this trip and hope to be able to order more books soon as our supply is getting low. It is amazing how we always seem to have "just enough" to travel and do this for those who have been injured. We feel blessed having the opportunity to visit our military hospitals.
Connie Beesley
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Wounded Warrior Barracks May 2006
After our visit in Washington DC in May of 2006 we drove to Camp LeJeune, NC...but first stopped at Quantico, VA. (Our vehicle just has a way of ALWAYS heading directly towards ANY and ALL Marine bases). As we entered the base book store we were surprised to hear "Hi Eddie". It was Wendy, one of the ladies we had met in March who works in the Semper Fi Injured Marine Fund office. She introduced us to General Mattis who was with retired General Zinnie (He was there signing his book.) As we travel, we are blessed to meet many wonderful and interesting people.
From Quantico, we continued on our way to Camp LeJeune to visit the Wounded Warrior Barracks. The barracks are such a blessing to our injured troops. Eddie would have loved to have had this as a choice when he was injured. Back then, he was not given a chance to stay in the Marine Corps...he tried but was turned down. Today our warriors may stay in to finish their tour and some are even able to re-up and continue their Marine careers. This is especially good for someone like Gunny B....who had 18 months left on a 20 year career. If he had been forced to get out when injured he would not have been entitled to his full 20 year retirement benefits. BUT through this program...he is. The program was the idea of Lt Col Maxwell (you can read about it at http://sempermax.com/ ) We were blessed to meet his wife Shannon Maxwell but would not meet her husband until another visit.
At the Wounded Warrior barracks, the Marines were gathered into one room and Eddie told them a bit about himself. He then began talking with them, answering questions and hearing their stories. We were there for over 4 hours!
They did not want to let him go! They wanted to tell them their stories and had a lot of questions for him about sports, transportation and all of the things that he'd learned about after his injuries.
This was also a good visit for me as I was able to meet with a Marine wife I had met online at Classmates. She and her husband came by the barracks and we had time for a short visit while Eddie was with wounded Marines.
Once we were able to leave the barracks we headed toward the home of someone we had met at one of Eddie's Marine reunions. Captain Dan McMahon had served with Delta 1/4 after Eddie had been injured and left Vietnam. We had a great visit with him and his wife. After spending the night we left the next morning for home. Another wonderful trip! We feel very blessed to be able to visit our injured troops.
Connie Beesley
From Quantico, we continued on our way to Camp LeJeune to visit the Wounded Warrior Barracks. The barracks are such a blessing to our injured troops. Eddie would have loved to have had this as a choice when he was injured. Back then, he was not given a chance to stay in the Marine Corps...he tried but was turned down. Today our warriors may stay in to finish their tour and some are even able to re-up and continue their Marine careers. This is especially good for someone like Gunny B....who had 18 months left on a 20 year career. If he had been forced to get out when injured he would not have been entitled to his full 20 year retirement benefits. BUT through this program...he is. The program was the idea of Lt Col Maxwell (you can read about it at http://sempermax.com/ ) We were blessed to meet his wife Shannon Maxwell but would not meet her husband until another visit.
At the Wounded Warrior barracks, the Marines were gathered into one room and Eddie told them a bit about himself. He then began talking with them, answering questions and hearing their stories. We were there for over 4 hours!
They did not want to let him go! They wanted to tell them their stories and had a lot of questions for him about sports, transportation and all of the things that he'd learned about after his injuries.
This was also a good visit for me as I was able to meet with a Marine wife I had met online at Classmates. She and her husband came by the barracks and we had time for a short visit while Eddie was with wounded Marines.
Once we were able to leave the barracks we headed toward the home of someone we had met at one of Eddie's Marine reunions. Captain Dan McMahon had served with Delta 1/4 after Eddie had been injured and left Vietnam. We had a great visit with him and his wife. After spending the night we left the next morning for home. Another wonderful trip! We feel very blessed to be able to visit our injured troops.
Connie Beesley
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
An Amazing Phone Call ~May 18, 2006
We were back in DC visiting at Bethesda Naval hospital. Eddie's publisher, Joyce Faulkner was with us. She was very moved by what she saw as we visited with our injured troops. Joyce was able to meet Travis Greene before he left for home for a visit (his story was told in an earlier blog).
While we were in a patients room, Eddie's cell phone rang. He saw that the call was coming from a 972 area code. The patient we were visiting said "That's my area code, I'm from Dallas, TX." I told Eddie it was my brother Richard's area code so perhaps he should answer the call. He answered and soon we all heard him say, "Sir"....so I KNEW it wasn't my brother! Joyce and I were VERY surprised to learn he was talking to Mr Ross Perot! I had sent him a book just a few days ago as we were leaving for our trip. He had received it, read it AND was calling us! He told Eddie that if he were injured this was the book he would want to read. Mr Perot wanted to know how he could get some books to send to the Pentagon. Eddie told him that we were in DC and could take them there ourselves if that would work. Mr Perot made a call to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs office and then had Eddie call to set up a meeting time! Since we had a picnic to attend with our troops that afternoon we set the meeting for the next day.
We set out early to be sure to be on time. As we arrived at the Pentagon, we had no idea where to park or where to enter the building. Eddie pulled into a parking lot and up to an officers shack to ask where we should park. Immediately the officer said "You can't park here". Eddie was getting his handicap parking sign up to ask where there was handicap parking and the guard said, "You can't park here with that either". The man began to give rather lengthy directions to a lot where we could park, but then said "Who are you going to see?" I handed him the telephone number of the Joint Chiefs office. He dialed the number then looked over to his partner and said, "They are going to the Chairman's office".
He then told Eddie to "follow me". We were led to a parking space up close to the building....in the lot that we "could not" park in! He then made a call and had an officer come to escort us into the building. We were led into the building, given ID badges and taken to a waiting area. A Marine was sent to take us to General Peter Pace's office. The Chairman had been called out to another meeting but we were able to meet with his staff for some time and leave 10 books to be passed out. We were each given one of General Pace's challenge coins which is in the shape of the Pentagon! (A great coin to add to Eddie's collection.)
After our visit, when we were back in the car, we just sat there for awhile telling ourselves to "remember to breathe" What an honor it had been to be inside that building! We are very blessed to have had this privilege. It has also been a privilege to have been in touch with Mr Perot. I am not sure that he even realizes how much his call and setting up this visit meant to us. He is a man who cares for our troops and we appreciate that. Some day perhaps we can tell him how much this has meant to us in person.
Connie Beesley
While we were in a patients room, Eddie's cell phone rang. He saw that the call was coming from a 972 area code. The patient we were visiting said "That's my area code, I'm from Dallas, TX." I told Eddie it was my brother Richard's area code so perhaps he should answer the call. He answered and soon we all heard him say, "Sir"....so I KNEW it wasn't my brother! Joyce and I were VERY surprised to learn he was talking to Mr Ross Perot! I had sent him a book just a few days ago as we were leaving for our trip. He had received it, read it AND was calling us! He told Eddie that if he were injured this was the book he would want to read. Mr Perot wanted to know how he could get some books to send to the Pentagon. Eddie told him that we were in DC and could take them there ourselves if that would work. Mr Perot made a call to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs office and then had Eddie call to set up a meeting time! Since we had a picnic to attend with our troops that afternoon we set the meeting for the next day.
We set out early to be sure to be on time. As we arrived at the Pentagon, we had no idea where to park or where to enter the building. Eddie pulled into a parking lot and up to an officers shack to ask where we should park. Immediately the officer said "You can't park here". Eddie was getting his handicap parking sign up to ask where there was handicap parking and the guard said, "You can't park here with that either". The man began to give rather lengthy directions to a lot where we could park, but then said "Who are you going to see?" I handed him the telephone number of the Joint Chiefs office. He dialed the number then looked over to his partner and said, "They are going to the Chairman's office".
He then told Eddie to "follow me". We were led to a parking space up close to the building....in the lot that we "could not" park in! He then made a call and had an officer come to escort us into the building. We were led into the building, given ID badges and taken to a waiting area. A Marine was sent to take us to General Peter Pace's office. The Chairman had been called out to another meeting but we were able to meet with his staff for some time and leave 10 books to be passed out. We were each given one of General Pace's challenge coins which is in the shape of the Pentagon! (A great coin to add to Eddie's collection.)
After our visit, when we were back in the car, we just sat there for awhile telling ourselves to "remember to breathe" What an honor it had been to be inside that building! We are very blessed to have had this privilege. It has also been a privilege to have been in touch with Mr Perot. I am not sure that he even realizes how much his call and setting up this visit meant to us. He is a man who cares for our troops and we appreciate that. Some day perhaps we can tell him how much this has meant to us in person.
Connie Beesley
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Balboa Navy Hospital April 2006
In April of 2006 we went out to Southern California to visit Balboa Navy Hospital.
We were given directions to the section of the hospital where the Marines and their Corpsmen stay. As we arrived we met a young Marine in the hallway. He seemed to want to talk about some things that were troubling him so we visited with him for a while then went on to the room where the Marines were gathering for our visit.
In addition to getting to speak with the Marines, Eddie was in for another treat; a reunion with two of the people he knew from the time he was in the Navy hospital in Oakland in 1965! He was glad to see Sandy Kirkpatrick Holmes, one of his nurses and also James Greenough, a Corpsman who worked on Eddies' ward. I teased Eddie about hugging on Sandy a lot....making up for not being able to back then when he was in the hospital! It was also good to see James.
We had learned he lived in southern California when we had met him at one of Eddie's Marine reunions. You see after leaving Oaknoll hospital, James had gone to Vietnam and was assigned to the same unit that Eddie had been in...
Delta Co, 1st Bn, 4th Marines. A reporter from the local paper was there to record the reunion of these three and their visit with the Marines.
Eddie spoke to the group and then gave them all copies of his book and visited with them individually. In this group there was one female. Seeing injured females is still hard for us...but in this war they are out there in harms way as well as the men and they are being injured too.
During all of this the first young man we had met had come in and stayed close by me. We talked some more. I was glad to listen and just be there for him to let him know that we care and hopefully it helped him some.
It was a good day, a good visit. We feel so thankful that we are able to visit with our injured troops. In us, I hope they see that being injured doesn't mean you can't have a full and wonderful life. Eddie has accomplished so much and hopefully that inspires them to look eagerly to their own futures.
Connie Beesley
We were given directions to the section of the hospital where the Marines and their Corpsmen stay. As we arrived we met a young Marine in the hallway. He seemed to want to talk about some things that were troubling him so we visited with him for a while then went on to the room where the Marines were gathering for our visit.
In addition to getting to speak with the Marines, Eddie was in for another treat; a reunion with two of the people he knew from the time he was in the Navy hospital in Oakland in 1965! He was glad to see Sandy Kirkpatrick Holmes, one of his nurses and also James Greenough, a Corpsman who worked on Eddies' ward. I teased Eddie about hugging on Sandy a lot....making up for not being able to back then when he was in the hospital! It was also good to see James.
We had learned he lived in southern California when we had met him at one of Eddie's Marine reunions. You see after leaving Oaknoll hospital, James had gone to Vietnam and was assigned to the same unit that Eddie had been in...
Delta Co, 1st Bn, 4th Marines. A reporter from the local paper was there to record the reunion of these three and their visit with the Marines.
Eddie spoke to the group and then gave them all copies of his book and visited with them individually. In this group there was one female. Seeing injured females is still hard for us...but in this war they are out there in harms way as well as the men and they are being injured too.
During all of this the first young man we had met had come in and stayed close by me. We talked some more. I was glad to listen and just be there for him to let him know that we care and hopefully it helped him some.
It was a good day, a good visit. We feel so thankful that we are able to visit with our injured troops. In us, I hope they see that being injured doesn't mean you can't have a full and wonderful life. Eddie has accomplished so much and hopefully that inspires them to look eagerly to their own futures.
Connie Beesley
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
UMASS March of 2006
Time often has a way of getting away from us with very busy schedules and I just realized I haven't posted anything a while.
In March of 2006 after we visited the hospitals in the DC area we headed up to visit a friend in Chickopee, Massachusetts. We had met "Doc" Downey at one of Eddie's Marine Corps reunions. He served with the first battalion, 4th Marines after Eddie had been injured and returned state side. Doc wanted us to visit and arranged some speaking engagements for us. One of those was to be at the University of Massachusetts.
Doc was so excited when we arrived. There is such a family feeling between all Marines and also with their Corpsmen. During our visit we talked about how hard it was for those "Docs" doing all they could to save lives in the field and then loading that young Marine on a chopper sometimes never knowing if he lived or died. Eddie is one who lived and seems to represent that to all the Corpsmen we meet.
Eddie proved that he still lives by the motto: Semper Gumby (Always flexible).
All the bedrooms were upstairs...not a problem, though Doc had been a bit worried. Eddie got out of his chair and climbed the stairs!
Doc was very excited about Eddie speaking at UMASS. He had everything well planned! We followed him to the campus early so we would know where we were going even though he had classes and the meeting was later in the afternoon. Doc went to class and we wandered around the student center. We checked out the book store and of course the cafeteria. In our "wanderings" we met a young man who was a former Marine. Eddie and I told him we would be meeting downstairs later that afternoon and he should come if he could.
After lunch we met Doc at the room prepared for us. The chairs were all in order and the snacks were arranged...we were ready! It was time and no one was there. We hadn't thought much about the date we'd chosen to be there...and as it turned out it was the Friday afternoon before Spring Break! Yes, you guessed it.....most of the students were no longer on campus! After a while the young man we had met earlier arrived. He came in and we introduced him to Doc. We all sat down and Doc asked him how he was. The young man said "I'm OK". Doc said, "No, how are you really?" Somehow Doc sensed something and the young man began to cry as he said: "I've been thinking about eating my gun". As we talked with him we learned that he had been in the Marines and was injured while in training. The injury caused him to be discharged and he felt badly about no longer being in the Corps. We talked for quite a while before the ROTC instructors arrived. Since we were still just a small group we sat and talked informally for a long while.
Now some would have the same reaction that Doc felt. As we were preparing to leave he apologized that there had not been a good turn out. I looked at him and said: "Doc, don't you feel bad because this was exactly the way it was meant to be. IF there had been a crowd, Eddie would have given his talk and we may not have had the opportunity to REALLY talk to this young man....in which case he may have not talked to anyone and then carried out his thoughts of suicide.
This meeting was EXACTLY the way God intended it to be!" Another day when we felt we were in just the right place at the right time.
If we can make a difference in even one life on each trip...then the trip has been a success and we feel very thankful.
Connie Beesley
In March of 2006 after we visited the hospitals in the DC area we headed up to visit a friend in Chickopee, Massachusetts. We had met "Doc" Downey at one of Eddie's Marine Corps reunions. He served with the first battalion, 4th Marines after Eddie had been injured and returned state side. Doc wanted us to visit and arranged some speaking engagements for us. One of those was to be at the University of Massachusetts.
Doc was so excited when we arrived. There is such a family feeling between all Marines and also with their Corpsmen. During our visit we talked about how hard it was for those "Docs" doing all they could to save lives in the field and then loading that young Marine on a chopper sometimes never knowing if he lived or died. Eddie is one who lived and seems to represent that to all the Corpsmen we meet.
Eddie proved that he still lives by the motto: Semper Gumby (Always flexible).
All the bedrooms were upstairs...not a problem, though Doc had been a bit worried. Eddie got out of his chair and climbed the stairs!
Doc was very excited about Eddie speaking at UMASS. He had everything well planned! We followed him to the campus early so we would know where we were going even though he had classes and the meeting was later in the afternoon. Doc went to class and we wandered around the student center. We checked out the book store and of course the cafeteria. In our "wanderings" we met a young man who was a former Marine. Eddie and I told him we would be meeting downstairs later that afternoon and he should come if he could.
After lunch we met Doc at the room prepared for us. The chairs were all in order and the snacks were arranged...we were ready! It was time and no one was there. We hadn't thought much about the date we'd chosen to be there...and as it turned out it was the Friday afternoon before Spring Break! Yes, you guessed it.....most of the students were no longer on campus! After a while the young man we had met earlier arrived. He came in and we introduced him to Doc. We all sat down and Doc asked him how he was. The young man said "I'm OK". Doc said, "No, how are you really?" Somehow Doc sensed something and the young man began to cry as he said: "I've been thinking about eating my gun". As we talked with him we learned that he had been in the Marines and was injured while in training. The injury caused him to be discharged and he felt badly about no longer being in the Corps. We talked for quite a while before the ROTC instructors arrived. Since we were still just a small group we sat and talked informally for a long while.
Now some would have the same reaction that Doc felt. As we were preparing to leave he apologized that there had not been a good turn out. I looked at him and said: "Doc, don't you feel bad because this was exactly the way it was meant to be. IF there had been a crowd, Eddie would have given his talk and we may not have had the opportunity to REALLY talk to this young man....in which case he may have not talked to anyone and then carried out his thoughts of suicide.
This meeting was EXACTLY the way God intended it to be!" Another day when we felt we were in just the right place at the right time.
If we can make a difference in even one life on each trip...then the trip has been a success and we feel very thankful.
Connie Beesley
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