"He served in the Pacific Theater in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded a second Navy Cross, five Purple Hearts and multiple other medals before being forced to retire because of his wounds."
"WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War - Two Navy Crosses, four
Purple Hears, two Legion of Merit with Combat "V", and fifty-two other
medals. Most decorated 3 War Marine."
Pretty impressive huh?? This guy is a HERO!!! He's like a John
Wayne. Just wait until you read some of the stories of this guy.
--------------------------
I started off today with the intent of going to 1 funeral which consisted of
two parts, the memorial service in Camas Washington and then the funeral service
at Willamette national Cemetery for one of our Vietnam War Veterans.
Well, I knew at short notice that there were going to be 2 more funerals at
Willamette National at different shelters and a service for this above mentioned
3 war HERO.
I went to Camas, did initial shots there. Didn't do many inside shots because
that funeral home chapel is too dark for my camera. I then left that service to
head back across the river and as I was crossing the I-205 bridge, across I
could see that cars where not going anywhere and I made a quick maneuver to take
the Airport exit and rerouted myself to the cemetery.
A memorial service which I couldn't get to for this HERO was being held at a
church and his funeral is to take place at 1300 in the main area that can hold a
lot of people. I knew now I had plenty of time to do this funeral, and then head
to the next one at 1400, and then the one I was committed to at 1430. More
on that later.
They where expecting at least 1000 people to show up. Myself I heard
his funeral mentioned quite a few times on the radio. I first didn't think
I was gonna make it and I already promised to do another. But here I am
watching as a bunch of cemetery ground workers are cleaning up the whole place
by the flag pole.
I then expected the Patriot Guard Riders to be heading up the hill and
positioned myself to photograph them and after a while, the procession.
I watched the PGR escort leading the hearse to where it needs to stop,
watched a few of the cars and then ran over to the hearse to do my next shoot
there.
Only a few people were there and the marines started to move the casket, and
I'm thinking to myself.... Normally they wait till the majority of people
are in place. I haven't even seen the governors car and his bodyguards
yet.
What's going on here?
I then realized, that once again, PORTLAND OREGON doesn't care about our war
heroes, about our military defending their sorry butts, and keeping the slime
free.
OK, it's not all of people from Portland. But for the size of it's
population, there should have been at least 20,000 Americans, that are grateful
for what these heroes have sacrificed and done for our country there.
I counted 86 people, not including the Patriot Guard Riders. I
tell you, the PGR has some true PATRIOTS, something I think the pathetic
majority of Portland doesn't know the meaning of.
And there was no representatives from the city or the state there
either. They were probably all out partying with that pedophile/groomer
who was recently not charged for his crimes because his lies were more credible
than that of the victim.
The expected flyover didn't happen either. Someone screwed up paper
work I heard. However, a photo you'll see... I felt that plane left
that vapor trail for a reason.
You know, I get some help with my project now and then and the majority of
that has always come from outside of Portland.
There was more news coverage about some grown man killing his first fly (It
seems) , rather than good coverage about a real man.
A man that fought in
3 wars. A man that kept fighting for his country until they retired him
because of all the injuries.
Of course I haven't seen tomorrows paper yet. Well, I guess it would be
today's, because it's after midnight already. Almost 0100.
I watched a
short news bit on TV. It was pretty meager and pathetic.
I need a drink. Anyone?
--------------
Anyhow, it was an honor to be there for his surviving family and friends to
help capture the honors.
We are losing thousands of our WWII Heroes every week.
Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away!!!!!!
Please take the time to read about this hero, Col. Kenneth L Reusser,
possible the most decorated three-war Marine out there.
Well, he's gone
now but I hope you show your kids, what this hero has done for our country, and
maybe, just maybe, some will learn from our past.
See A Vet... Thank A Vet!!!
Thank You Col. Reusser!!!
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