Dennis Michael Belonger like so many died way too young. He had only been
with his unit a little over two months before the fatal day. The time he served
with the 1st brigade Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Rangers enabled him to shine
brightly among members of one of the most dangerous units, to serve with in Vietnam.
The fact that he, at such a young age would want to walk with the Giants took
alot of courage. The Giants being the famed LRRP RANGERs, men that traveled with
4-6 man teams deep in enemy held territory with a life expectancy of slim to none.
These guys were thought to be a little off upstairs but I think not, they were
men with nerves and guts of steel that were very good at what they did, and envied
by all! Many want to be LRRP RANGERS but could not see themselves doing what these
guys did. They were risk takers, called to step into the unknown. They possessed
a sense of intrigue, curiousity, an adventureous nature that causes men to challenge
fearful endeavers. Their missions varied according to the needs of higher command.
Information that could only be gathered from being up close to the enemy. Information
that enabled commanders to better planning for operations against the enemy. Dennis's
team mates discribed him as a courageous and tough combatant when the fight was
on.. A person you could count on, on and off mission. Always seeming to be up
beat and ready to go on mission. He reflected well on his unit and the United
States of America. Even though he was in Vietnam he never lost his sense of humour,
he had the ability to make others loosen up and relax on their down time. When
Dennis joined his unit he was assigned to a team called Hawk-eye-1-Alpha, lead
by a team leader call Ratman aka Buddy, one of the best to learn from and patrol
with. Dennis learned fast and was always wanting to learn more about his job and
the jobs of other team mates. He went on many missions with SSgt.Thibodeau in
his short time with the unit. Then came the day he would give his all, he would
be mortally wounded as would his team leader SSgt. Thibodeau. You might say this
was an impossible mission from the start. They were dropped by helicopter into
an area where heavy enemy troop movement was suspected. There job was to confirm
and if possible to estimate the size, type weapons and equipment the enemy had.
With so much enemy movement around them it became impossible to go undetected
and soon found themselves out number and engaged in a fierce fight with the North
Vietnamese Regular Army. Dennis was sight by one of the team members to have fought
couragely before he went down. Before help could arrive Dennis and SSGT. Thibodeau
aka Ratman were mortally wounded. They both died an honorable death fighting for
their country and what they had grow up to hold true,"That Liberty and FREEDOM"
should be for all who seek it. The world is a sadder place when men like these
are taken, but it's heaven's gain. To the family that has had to bear the loss
of Dennis, we offer our heart felt thanks for standing strong. Many who enjoy
real freedom have been affected by the great contribution he gave towards our
freedom. He is still dearly loved and missed,even to this day. Lord, those who
knew Dennis are so thankful you allowed them to be graced by his being among them.
We his brothers of like spirit, a spirit that says, all peoples, of all nations
should enjoy the right to live free and choose for themselves, do also thanks
you. He stands out to us and to the world as a symbol of the price of freedom.
Your word says, "no greater love has a man than this,to give his life for a friend".
Dennis did just that! He foresook self preservation for others to live. He acted
out of love, a love that required no contemplation but rather action. Surely it
never crossed his mind at the moment that he would come to be known as a "HERO".
We thank you for men and women like our brother, who thought it not too much to
give his life for another to live. Lord, this day give comfort to those loved
ones that have been all these years without him. Help them to know he is at rest
with you and "Warriors" of like kind. May we never forget our freedoms were bought
by the blood of others. Lord regardless of our belief, help us as we remember
him and the many like him to consider the following words of wisdom; to love the
Lord our God with all your heart, soul, mind , and strength and secondly to love
our neighbor as ourself. Truly acceptance and application of this wisdom by all
peoples of the world, is to see war and all other atrocities against humanity
end! May our hearts be charged to honor the sacrafices of such men and women as
Dennis with a continuous and sincere effort to promote peace on earth.
Bob
Smyers |
