Lonnie
Lowell Gibson born in Jellico,Tennesee located right on the Tennesee/Kentucy border
just off of interstate 75. It is a fairly small town but the people there are
for the most part warm and friendly with the flavor of country people. They speak
with a southern twang giving it more of a sense of down home, a comforting feeling.
Lonnie lived most of his young life here before joining the army. He was pretty
much on the quiet side one who was appreciative, kind, considerate, humble, and
very gracious. One anyone would like to be around. When you look into his eye
with that soft smile you see a very loving person. Briefly out of school he joined
the army to fullfill his obligation as an American, soon finding himself in Vietnam
and being who he was he never complained, and was quickly accepted by members
of his unit. Growing up and being fairly unagressive one would think he never
would have join a unit such as he did. This was an all voluntary unit, in fact
the only way in was to volunteer. Why? It was considered one of the most dangerous
units to serve in in Vietnam. Life expectancy was considered to be slim to none
due to the type missions they ran. Lonnie had joined the famed Long Range Patrol
Rangers, K company 75th Rangers previously know as, the 1st brigade Long Range
Patrol 4th infantry division. Lonnie had done his best growing up to be the best
he could be and now wanted to be with the best, he had a calling, a calling which
he and he alone knew and he did answer it. Talk about one you could trust with
your most prized possession, Lonnie was the man. He worked with 3-4 guys and they
worked as a team deep inside of enemy held territory. They gathered information
that could be gotten no other way. His and the others life depended mainly on
communications, artillery, helicopter gunships and slicks (inserted and extracted
the team). Men that did this were of a different breed but pomp and arrogance
was not part of their make up, but courage and commitment surely was. I feel a
great sense of pride as I write about Lonnie and think of others like him. Gaints,
everyone, bigger than life and thought it not wrong to go a step farther into
the unknown, to perform a task that did save the lives of many American soldiers
and indigenousi people living in or around the area of operation. Lonnie had only
been in country a short time when he was called to a greater place on September
28, 1969. Why so young? We will have to trust God on this. On this day while engaged
in a firefight Lonnie would fall in the service of his country. Lonnie growing
up had many friends. While in South Vietnam he gained lifetime brothers. Those
still alive reflect upon their time with him and feel sad but also joy for being
blessed with a memory of a fine young man. Lonnie, you may be gone from our realm
but certaining, your memory lives on. Sua Sponte. Rangers Lead the Way!
Bob
Smyers |
