Remembering and Honoring

When I was a young chavalito (kid), my dad would take me to the Memorial Day ceremony in my hometown of San Rafael.? In the 70’s the Veterans from World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War would remember and honor their fellow brothers and sisters that had fallen in war, or who were no longer living.? My father was a well-respected Veteran in my hometown, and after the ceremony all the Veterans would shake hands and showed each other the upmost respect.? I was dad’s sidekick, and the vets always made it a point to shake my hand or shag my hair up.? I always felt like I belonged.? My dad, and the San Rafael Veterans are the reason I served in the Air Force from 1989-2014.

After high school, instead of waiting to be drafted, my dad joined the U.S. Marine Corp in 1967.? He volunteered to be a Marine.? He went to Vietnam as a E-3 (Lance Corporal) and returned from the war as a field promoted E-5 (Sergeant).?? I asked my father why he joined the Marines and he said “Joining the Marines was the right thing to do. I wanted to pay back the federal government for the sustenance that was provided by the government as an adopted child.”

In October 2021, my father was bordering going into hospice, and my best friend Ryan Rigdon (Navy Veteran) made a phone call to get dad on a two-day Honor Flight to Washington D.C with Honor Flight DFW, to see all the monuments, Washington Memorial, and spend time with fellow Veterans. Tudi Giordano, President, Honor Flight DFW prioritized a seat for my dad. Everyone at Honor Flight DFW are angels. One of the most special parts of the trip for my dad was visiting the Vietnam Memorial.? He always wanted to see the wall with his own eyes and visit with his fellow fallen Marines. He left a huge part of himself there.?

Later that day, he enjoyed visiting the Marine Corp Monument, and sang the Marine Hymn with his fellow Marines.? Surprisingly, he sang as loud as he could, and he knew all the words.? On the flight back to Dallas on Saturday night there was a mail call.? My dad’s family and friends provided personal letters thanking him for his service.? My father cried every time he read a letter from his family.?Here are some comments that my father read that made him cry.

“Thank you for the support that you gave my mom and dad while we were overseas during Desert Storm and Desert Shield.”

“My favorite Marine thank you for showing me strength, respect and love.”

“When most people were sound asleep in their beds at night, you stood the watch” Uncle Sal, rest easy we will stand the watch.”

“You were always willing to put everything on the line for faith, family and country” I am proud to call you may grandpa.

“Sal Lobster, thank you for being such a good friend to me Semper Fi.”

“We know freedom isn’t free, thank you for serving our country.”

“You have influenced me into the man that I am, you taught me that serving this great country of ours is not a privilege but an honor.”

“Thank you for being the best grandpa ever, you are the reason that I am the person I am today.”

“Thank you for making me a better man.”

“Dear Papap --thank you for serving our country.”

Afterwards, we arrived late to Dallas, and we had to wait until the next day to travel to ABQ, and after I put him in bed, I laid next to him.? He unexpectedly grabbed my hand and said, “Thank you son, I can die in peace now.”?

On February 22, 2022, my father passed away. He died in peace.

My dad was buried with a piece of paper scribed with a name from the Vietnam Memorial.? The name is Sergeant Randall L. Pell.? Sergeant Pell was killed on the morning of my father’s birthday on April 8, 1970; he was my dad’s supervisor/friend.

On this Memorial Day I remember and honor my dad, his supervisor/friend Randall L. Pell, and all my brothers and sisters that have paid the ultimate sacrifice, and those no longer with us, that loved the USA as much as I do.