| To the family that has had to bear the loss of Jack, we offers our heart-felt
thanks for your standing so strong. Many that 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. It is our duty as his brothers and all that enjoy
freedom at home and abroad to never forget Jack and those like him. His life giving
blood was poured out in South Vietnam that they could live in freedom, a freedom
that still remains illusive to this day for these people. Jack never died in vain,
though it would appear so. Rather he as all who fought this war have touched the
conscience of our nation and others around the world. Our military men and women
of today are acknowledged, respected, loved, and supported by the people and our
government. The Vietnam war will always be a Thorne in the side of this nation,
and a staunch reminder of how not to treat the soldiers and their families. Without
men like Jack, the stock of our nation, I ask, would we be living in freedom today?
How many veterans reading this ever ask yourself why you did, what you did in
Vietnam? Was it emotions such as anger, hate, revenge, or to wear the uniform
of "The Elite"? Could this motivate a man to join a unit where life expectance
for such duty, could be very short ? I think not, I believe we were born for this
very reason, to go one step above what is required of a regular soldier. Jack,
truly was one such soldier, one of us, and though he has gone on, he is still
a brother, of brothers, born of the Vietnam War.
Jack became one of Vietnam's
first Rangers in July 1968. One made up of all volunteers that seemed to have
guts and nerves of steel. He was now, one of the" ELITE".. These soldiers would
risk what others may never be ask to do. This was to walk into the unknown with
three other men gathering information about the enemy, while deep in his territory.
Information that could not begotten any other way than the use of small teams.
Information that would enable commanders to better plan operations against the
enemy. Jack did this with the knowledge it may be fatal if compromised.
Jack
ran many mission, some of which he had to fight the enemy up close and he faired
well. This day would be different. It was February 16, 1969 and his team was on
the way to be inserted in an enemy infested area when, the helicopter received
heavy enemy ground fire. The pilots tried evasive maneuvers but the ship was disabled
and crashed killing all on board. Jack, his team mates Gerald Hancock, Hugh McKinney,
Ralph Dunn and the Chopper crew. They were Pilots Norman Perron, Arthur Paple,
door gunners Richard Oliver and Larry Alcos. They this day would leave our realm
and join other Warriors of like spirit in a place of peace, a peace beyond our
understanding, home with the Lord.
Lord, we who knew Jack or knew about him,
are thankful you allow us to be graced by his being among us. We his brothers
of like spirit a spirit that says, all peoples, of all nations, should enjoy the
right to live and choose for themselves. Jack stands out to us and to the world
as a symbol of the price of freedom. Your Words says, " no greater love has a
man , than this, to give his life for a friend. Our brother did just that! In
his fight freedom, he, along with his team mates and chopper crew was mortally
wounded. We thank you for men and women like our brother, that thought it not
too much to give their life for others to live. Lord, may you this day and all
days, give comfort to all his loved ones who 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.
Regardless
of our belief, help us as we remember Jack and the many like him to consider these
words of wisdom; to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our
neighbor as our self. 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 sacrifices of such men and women as Jack, with
a continuous and sincere effort to promote peace on earth with good will towards
all. We give thanks, in Jesus Name.
Bob Smyers |
