This to me is what makes American’s so great — it makes me proud to have served with men in the armed forces like these — I wish all our leaders were men of value like those LEADERS in the military.
This is a compelling story of leadership, and of loyalty to military comrades. That feeling you will have while listening is a stirring of patriotism and pride. When you watch this, it will make the lack of action at Benghazi look even more pathetic.
Thanks to Charlie for the link. HooRah
It was well attended by local veterans and Charlie Company was represented by Mike Stokes, Jack and Kathy Chavez, Brent and Bill Boling and Fred Childs. Bud Roach donated coins that are affixed to Tim’s headstone.
A gathering after the event was held at the Vets Memorial Hall in Benicia.
Click on a picture to view and enlarge.
Kathy Chavez writes:
The following article appeared in the local Vallejo newspaper for Tim Dineen. The experience was very special for everyone attending, veteran and non-veteran alike. There was an older couple at the gravesite ceremony that came because of a newspaper article. They had no connection to the family or the military but felt they should attend anyway! The gathering after the ceremony at the VFW in Benicia was most meaningful in the sharing of memories of PFC Dineen and the camaraderie of Company C. I feel very privileged to have shared the event.
Much love,
Kathy
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Thanks to Charlie for the link – HooRah
Friends,
As a fellow Vietnam vet myself, I agree with almost everything stated in this article. My eyes were misty by the time I read the last line. Although it’s primarily about Marines (God bless them!), many others and I can identify with the descriptions stated here.
VIETNAM GENERATION by Jim Webb; Former Secretary of the Navy
The rapidly disappearing cohort of Americans that endured the Great Depression and then fought World War II is receiving quite a send-off from the leading lights of the so-called 60s generation. Tom Brokaw has published two oral histories of “The Greatest Generation” that feature ordinary people doing their duty and suggest that such conduct was historically unique.
Chris Matthews of “Hardball” is fond of writing columns praising the Navy service of his father while castigating his own baby boomer generation for its alleged softness and lack of struggle. William Bennett gave a startling condescending speech at the Naval Academy a few years ago comparing the heroism of the “D-Day Generation” to the drugs-and-sex nihilism of the “Woodstock Generation.” And Steven Spielberg, in promoting his film “Saving Private Ryan,” was careful to justify his portrayals of soldiers in action based on the supposedly unique nature of World War II. Continue reading
Have you ever been in a cemetery and saw coins laying on a tombstone? There is actually a reason behind it.
While visiting some cemeteries you may notice that headstones marking certain graves have coins on them, left by previous visitors to the grave. These coins have distinct meanings when left on the headstones of those who gave their life while serving in America’s military, and these meanings vary depending on the denomination of coin.
A coin left on a headstone or at the grave site is meant as a message to the deceased soldier’s family that someone else has visited the grave to pay respect. Continue reading
Bud Roach writes:
The big city of Whitewright, Texas has a population of about 1,750. Saturday the community will lay to rest a 20 year old soldier killed in Afghanistan.
I did not know him but I taught/coached/was principal for his dad and uncle.
It causes me to have a lonesome feeling as I think back to 67-68. We didn’t know what happened at home when we lost a friend.
Saturday the streets will be lined with flag waving residents from the entire area. He will be honored with full military rites. Army brass in their dress blues will be here. I’m afraid we have forgotten that we still have soldiers in harms way until it hits close to home like it has this week for Whitewright, Texas.
Today, May 7, 2014, at about 1:00 p.m. Whitewright’s fallen soldier returned home.
Just before the procession arrived it began to rain a driving downpour. There were people lining the highway waving flags.
School was dismissed for the occasion so his classmates barely a year ago were there. People were getting drenched but they did not leave.
The procession was led by state troopers and police cars from all over the area. They were followed by the Patriot Guard on their motorcycles (in the rain). The hollow feeling is still there. The young man was 20 years old. He looked like he was 15.
Then I think we were soldiers once and young. He looked like me in 1966/67/68.
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Thanks to Charlie for the link. HooRah
The organization or hierarchy of military forces in preparation for a battle.
The planned sequence in which military units arrive and are deployed on a battlefield,
usually based on estimates of their combat effectiveness.
Tom Minero writes:
I have set the date for the restoration of Tim Dineen’s resting place for Friday, May 16th at 1:00 pm at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, 550 Glen Cove Road, Vallejo, CA. Many of you have stated that you would like to be in attendance. Through your generous donations, I have accumulated a wreath, an engraved memorial stone, plants, and small flags in addition to the iron panel that will be installed. A veteran who served alongside Tim will be present, and a bugler courtesy of VFW Post 1123 will play Taps. Those who plan to attend may bring mementos to lay at the site.
There will be a gathering after the event at the Vets Memorial Hall in Benicia, 1150 First Street (corner of First & Military East) which is less than a 5 minute drive from the cemetery. Note: Tim’s crypt is to the far right fence line upon entrance and the road next to it is very narrow. I advise people to park their cars on Benicia Road on either side of the entrance gate, or across the street in the entrance of the old Auto Movies Drive-in.
I look forward to meeting some of you there.
Charlie Company Vietnam 1966-1972 