Aloha ALL,
On my post about how "rules sometimes SUCK" I had a reply in there about a conversation w/ my LT last night. Yesterday was his birthday, he made 48, and served over 25 years in the system.
A fellow CO stopped by my house this morning and informed me that he had died in his sleep. I couldn't believe it and am still having a hard time dealing w/ this as I was having a heart to heart with the man just last night as he was doing his facility checks! ****.
This LT. was a "fighter"...he was riddled with injuries acquired over his 25 years of service, yet he would do a CO III's job if he had to, he got on the floor and did cell inspections w/ me. He would tell me to step in his office, shut the door and actually LISTEN to my concerns about the facility. He was not liked by the other hardbars because we, the "floor soldiers" liked him so much. He fought for us, he stood up against the admin...After 25 years in Corrections, he managed to maintain his integrity.
He was not only a "Butterbar", but he became my friend...This man ALWAYS had our 6, no matter what.
I am thankful in that the Lord called him while he was asleep. My LT must be really confused right now, as I can see him arguing with God saying, "But I have to report to work tomorrow!!!!" I have NEVER met a man who has served so much time in the system, and not bend to the games of the system. He didn't have the F-it, it ain't my @$$ on the line attitude...he never was complacent. He was intelligent, and treated everyone with respect. In fact, I gave him a SS SE Delica along with a thank you note after the fire incident, comending him for the man that he is...
It has only been 7hrs. or so since I found out about his passing, and I am still feeling it. I am missing this man a great deal...
Therefore I repeat my request to you all: Tell those you hold close to your hearts how much you love them, and how blessed you are to have them...I was fortunate to have him know where he stood in my heart, and how much I admired him not only as a professional, but as a friend before he passed away.
Please follow my request now...thank you, and God bless you all.
Proverbs 16:3...Commit YOUR works to the LORD, and YOUR plans WILL succeed!
"Okay, just what am I trying to say " PT. 2
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samosaurus
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AllenETreat
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Daywalker -
25yrs of battle fatigue & no let up would
kill just about anyone! Most LT's in the Army weren't ROTC but "came up through the
ranks" ( Lt. Davila come's immmediatelty to
mind ) Sad part is your LT left family behind, right?
How about you & the rest of the "troops"
takin' up a collection for his survivors?
It would help with giving him an honorable
burial, and it's a way of paying your last
"respects" to his memory...
Then, if one of you "fill his shoes" do as
he did and be a "leader" ( as in by example <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>) and stick it to "the man" at
corrections just like he did.
Which bring's to mind something I read at a
vet's center -
<i><b>"Because of the fate our comrades have
met, we the living, must never forget". </b> </i>
AET
Some things are necessary evils, some things are more evil than necessary. John Le Carre
25yrs of battle fatigue & no let up would
kill just about anyone! Most LT's in the Army weren't ROTC but "came up through the
ranks" ( Lt. Davila come's immmediatelty to
mind ) Sad part is your LT left family behind, right?
How about you & the rest of the "troops"
takin' up a collection for his survivors?
It would help with giving him an honorable
burial, and it's a way of paying your last
"respects" to his memory...
Then, if one of you "fill his shoes" do as
he did and be a "leader" ( as in by example <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>) and stick it to "the man" at
corrections just like he did.
Which bring's to mind something I read at a
vet's center -
<i><b>"Because of the fate our comrades have
met, we the living, must never forget". </b> </i>
AET
Some things are necessary evils, some things are more evil than necessary. John Le Carre
Chad,
First, let me say that there are just no words to do this situation justice.
Twenty-Five years is a long time in Corrections. I have fourteen in so far, and it seems long.
Quality people with integrity in Corrections are just so **** rare, especially in a management capacity. They truly stand out among the ranks. Losing them, both in the official capacity, as well as friendship.
Chad, I'm truly sorry for the loss of your friend. Your loss is my loss.
Back in '99, I had a friend, a fellow officer. Ranger in Viet Nam, veteran of lots of action, also worked extensively with Special Forces.
He served in the prison for about eight years, and we became close friends. As a rule, I don't often become friends with the people I work with to the extent that I go over to their house, or vice versa. But Lance and I were friends like that. He'd do anything for ya. He and his wife were foster parents for troubled youths.
After a week of working double shifts, he fell asleep at the wheel on the way home from work. He ran into a tree about a half-mile past my house. Lance was killed in the crash.
He survived 'Nam and the battles inside the prison, but got killed when he hit a tree that was no larger around than my arm.
Chad, be well and I pray that the Lord takes care of your LT friend and assuages your grief. God bless you.
Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com
First, let me say that there are just no words to do this situation justice.
Twenty-Five years is a long time in Corrections. I have fourteen in so far, and it seems long.
Quality people with integrity in Corrections are just so **** rare, especially in a management capacity. They truly stand out among the ranks. Losing them, both in the official capacity, as well as friendship.
Chad, I'm truly sorry for the loss of your friend. Your loss is my loss.
Back in '99, I had a friend, a fellow officer. Ranger in Viet Nam, veteran of lots of action, also worked extensively with Special Forces.
He served in the prison for about eight years, and we became close friends. As a rule, I don't often become friends with the people I work with to the extent that I go over to their house, or vice versa. But Lance and I were friends like that. He'd do anything for ya. He and his wife were foster parents for troubled youths.
After a week of working double shifts, he fell asleep at the wheel on the way home from work. He ran into a tree about a half-mile past my house. Lance was killed in the crash.
He survived 'Nam and the battles inside the prison, but got killed when he hit a tree that was no larger around than my arm.
Chad, be well and I pray that the Lord takes care of your LT friend and assuages your grief. God bless you.
Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com
Chad,
"Man hath no greater love for another, than those he has shared combat with"
I don't know who said the above, but I have come to realise, both when I served in the military as well as now in the Prison Service, it is indeed true. The grieving process is the start of the healing process.
Prisons certainly can be as rough and dangerous as any environment you care to mention, and when a good man hangs his keys up for the last time, a void is enevitable.
Over the past few years, I have had to dust off the "best uniform" more times than I wanted in order to attend funerals of men I served with. Some retired, some still serving. I carried the coffin of one of my closest friends. I believe I know how you feel.
God Bless,
Simon.
"Man hath no greater love for another, than those he has shared combat with"
I don't know who said the above, but I have come to realise, both when I served in the military as well as now in the Prison Service, it is indeed true. The grieving process is the start of the healing process.
Prisons certainly can be as rough and dangerous as any environment you care to mention, and when a good man hangs his keys up for the last time, a void is enevitable.
Over the past few years, I have had to dust off the "best uniform" more times than I wanted in order to attend funerals of men I served with. Some retired, some still serving. I carried the coffin of one of my closest friends. I believe I know how you feel.
God Bless,
Simon.
"We few, we happy few, we Band of Brothers. For whoever sheds his blood with me shall be my brother."
William Shakespeare
Henry V
Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com
William Shakespeare
Henry V
Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com
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Shards of Narsil
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dialex
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Dear Chad,
So sorry to hear about the death of your friend. <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Considering his good deeds, I hope God will offer him a better alternative than the life he spent on Earth. My prayers are with him. May he rests in peace.
<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(my page)</font></a>
So sorry to hear about the death of your friend. <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Considering his good deeds, I hope God will offer him a better alternative than the life he spent on Earth. My prayers are with him. May he rests in peace.
<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(my page)</font></a>
MAHALO ALL!
You <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> friends are the best...most of us had a hard time reporting for duty today...my LT had a special place in everyone's hearts, although it is sad to say that the admin is no doubt happy in that now they do not have to deal w/ him. Some staff were saying, "****, now who is gonna approve my vacation time?" IDIOTS...
Anyway, a very big MAHALO to all of you for helping me to deal with this. I thank you for taking the time to "say" all that has been said to me regarding the passing of my Watch Commander, who more importantly was my friend.
I have been comforted by 1 Thessalonians 4:14..."We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God WILL bring WITH Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him."
****, he was a great man...I miss him.
Proverbs 16:3...Commit YOUR works to the LORD, and YOUR plans WILL succeed!
You <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> friends are the best...most of us had a hard time reporting for duty today...my LT had a special place in everyone's hearts, although it is sad to say that the admin is no doubt happy in that now they do not have to deal w/ him. Some staff were saying, "****, now who is gonna approve my vacation time?" IDIOTS...
Anyway, a very big MAHALO to all of you for helping me to deal with this. I thank you for taking the time to "say" all that has been said to me regarding the passing of my Watch Commander, who more importantly was my friend.
I have been comforted by 1 Thessalonians 4:14..."We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God WILL bring WITH Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him."
****, he was a great man...I miss him.
Proverbs 16:3...Commit YOUR works to the LORD, and YOUR plans WILL succeed!
Dear Chad - Everyone feels emotions and it is good that we have them and that they are felt. Never be afraid of showing that you are only human and that we are like dust. Taking this LT as a personal example, just for yourself, and trying to live or work by his standards will do his memory justice.
I feel your pain and I'm with you!
Amen.
Clipits work!
I feel your pain and I'm with you!
Amen.
Clipits work!