I need help: Memorial Day laying of the Flag, honoring WO John 'Fitzi' Fitzgerald, KIA 4/12/68 buried Norwood Mass.

[Rat187]

I promised my Crewchief I'd be there to honor our Rat gun pilots 'Fitz' on Memorial Day 2022. I can do it alone, but it's going to be rough. Any support, thoughts prayers, Deeds. would be appreciated from my NES Brothers. CWO John Francis Fitzgerald (1947-1968) - Find a...

Frenchy (Rat187)
187th AHC

 

[dustoff22]

Sorry I can't be there Frenchy but will certainly send prayers. Memorial Day is a mighty tough day - remembering those, particularly comrades, who died far too young.

 

[boscru]

i was too young to be drafted, but when i went to Washington about 30 years ago, we did the regular tour.

when we got to the Memorial, i could not actually go up to it. Didn't know anyone on the wall,
just the thought of those names of young men brought me to tears. God bless all.

 

[71montess]

Rip CWO Fitzgerald, i grew up in Norwood, lived there for 55 years. The Veterans Agent is a Vietnam vet Ted Mulvehill, maybe give him a call.

 

[Skysoldier]

I would be there if I could brother. I will be there in spirit.

 

[enbloc]

"May you muster strength in abundance, love ever-enduring, and Respect from a Grateful Friend. "
Walk Tall ~Enbloc

 

[Rat187]

Thanks all, Brothers. I felt a little embarrassed last night after I posted, and subsequently tried to pull a @Fishfinder...lol Toooo much Vino.

Today was beautiful, so I shook off whatever was bothering me and visited 'Fitzzy' and his parents. Fitzzy's was an only child. I found out his Dad was with the 82nd Airborne's, 'Battling Bastards of Bastogne.' I was declassifying a lot of our records at the National Archives, including hostile/non-hostile crashed aircraft incidents, thus the 6-7 hits of .51 fire and thus a snapped tail-boom at treetop level, non survivable in a Huey gunship. What do you say to the parents of a Vet, that lost their only child at the age of twenty years? I remember calling his home some 33 years ago and his mother picked up, I told her 'I was in the 187th's gun platoon and knew her son', "let me pass you over my husband". I guess God spoke through me and I blurted out, "though your Son died, know that he did not die in vain; as he saved the lives of many grunts that would have never made it home without his sacrifice. The line went dead I, until I realized his Dad was crying, "Son I want to meet you." Damn we met, I wish I could have been a better replacement son, but we had a good family chat today....

 

[fitzknny]

Visiting with friends in private today, but my heart and prayers are with you and all those who Must be remembered. . . . Never a Day Goes By . . .

 

[enbloc]

@Rat187, you are the kind of man that makes America a wonderful place. Always remember that...
~Matt

 

[Rat187]

@Rat187, you are the kind of man that makes America a wonderful place. Always remember that...
~Matt

Yea and f*** you too....

 

[enbloc]

Yea and f*** you too....

 

[M60]

I promised my Crewchief I'd be there to honor our Rat gun pilots 'Fitz' on Memorial Day 2022. I can do it alone, but it's going to be rough. Any support, thoughts prayers, Deeds. would be appreciated from my NES Brothers. CWO John Francis Fitzgerald (1947-1968) - Find a...

Frenchy (Rat187)
187th AHC

Prayers inbound brother

 

[Gidge]

Prayers inbound brother

+1

 

[Rat187]

View attachment 621432

Sneaky Bastid.....

 

[enbloc]

Sneaky Bastid.....

I've been called worse... but not by better.