OT Buried an Incredible Man yesterday

Long time friend of the family passed away and I attended his funeral yesterday . All of 60 yrs old. Cancer filled his lungs and brain . He lasted 3 months after they diagnoised it, quite a shock. He didn't cry , didn't complain. He was my dads best friend . They talked everyday about anything or nothing . When dad was fighting his bout with cancer ,Calvin was there . When Mom was ,,he was there also . when the Doctor came in and set up counsoling, he looked him in the eye and told him he knew everything he had to know from my folks . He simply asked how long he had to get his affairs in order . They had no idea it would be this short . He was a scawny wirey guy , 140 lbs soaking wet ,,but "Oh Buddy , tough as nails " He was a Vietnam Vet , Marine ,who served many extra tours , volanteered for all of them . He said ," I got no one special , I know whats going on here, I'll stay so someone else that don't ,won't come here and get themselves killed. " He was a POW . He escaped and told of the fight he had with is guard . Said they were hand to hand , he looked up and bit the guys throat out with his teeth . I believed it ,,,anyone who met him would too. He was always there for those who needed help . He will be missed by all . RIP Calvin .Travel well my friend .

Brian, Sounds like you were really lucky to find such a great friend. Most people don't ever get to find a remarkable person as you described. Remember hin in your prayers. REguards LOU.

Through thick and thin Americans need to stand by their Vets. It is shameful the abuse they take from our own government. Denial of complications derived from Agent Orange went on for years. Denial of benifits continues in all to many cases. The government is all to eager to want to fight wars,,,but then wants to degrade their service once they are back state side.

Not a vet myself, But only those that have served fully know the physical and psychological price they have paid in tribute to their Nation.

My hats off to every Vet who stood ready to defend this gret nation, Harvey

Man,count yourself fortunate to have known such a HERO! My hat's off to all our vets. I'm not a vet but that don't mean I don't admire them and I'm so grateful for all they've done for all of us!!! I'm a woodcarver and over the last 2-3 years I've carved Eagle Head canes for injured vets from the Iraq war. Because of that I have met now five of those HEROES personally (carved 12 canes). What an honor for me to carve those canes but what an even bigger honor to shake their hand, give them a bear hug and tell them how much I appreciate what they've done for me. Recently, I was honored to be taken into Walter Reed Hospital and met some more HEROES. Friend,that was an emotional honor for me. Also, visited all the military monuments in DC. What an awsome experince. I salute you, vets!!!!!

Rest In Peace Calvin

I was very lucky to be a bit too young for Vietnam but have lost a couple of friends way too early beacause of this WAR. Still have a lot of friends who DID serve and honor them all!

Jim

Saddened By Your Loss....We all lost another GREAT AMERICAN................... ,"BOY!..,You Never Know WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF DOING, Until You Have to DO IT " is one of the phrases DAD Used to tell Us ,, He was a WWII Pacific island hopper ,, His uelogy is over in Your Storie some 40 Stories down ,

You lost a good man there. I know that a man like him will be in a better place now. He put his fellow man before himself. That is what a real "HERO" does.
There are getting to be fewer of us Nam Vets. There are only three left out of my ten man unit. We only lost one man over there. The rest of us are carring some extra hardware but we came home.

Bryan-your friend Calvin is a rare person to know.His life sounds like he put everyone else before himself.He put his country and his fellow man ahead of Calvin.It is his turn to go to the front of the line in heaven.I hope we all remember people like Calvin who touched us all.Bryan thanks for telling us about Calvin it made me think of people who touched my life.