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Sparrowhawk
11-14-04, 08:12 PM
Received this note the other day, from the daughter of a Marine I served with in Vietnam.

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Hello,

I just wanted to let you know that my father (Gus) is sick.

They found a tumor in his lungs and he is going thought radiation right now.

The radiation should be completed the first week of December, but you know how that can go.

Dad is tired a lot, but is doing pretty good.

He still looking on the positive side of things and the people at the treatment place think he's great.

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We knew he was great, since 1967
Cook

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http://marines.bizland.com/Gus.jpg
1000 Yard Stare


Sgt. "Gus" with his radio man at his side, the day after he had to take over command of 2nd platoon after they were devastated on November 19th, 1967. Second platoon had lost 10 men, including their platoon commander, four of them were KIA. Our platoon had lost 7 WIA's that same day.


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<center>1000 YARD STARE

if you've been there
you know this well
the stare of a man
who's been through hell
in search of a friend
who can't be found
only to be told
he's homeward bound

ain't nuthin' to it
it don't mean a thing
another brother flying
upon silver wings

push it back
try not to care
bury the emotion
with the 1000 yard stare

Richard D. Preston
©2000</center>
Sparrowhawk
11-14-04, 08:13 PM
http://marines.bizland.com/Cook.jpg
Cook Barela at Liberty Bridge Republic of South Vietnam sometime in 1967
Sparrowhawk
11-14-04, 08:17 PM
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2004/11/13/international/14iraq_slide02.jpg

Lance Cpl. Michael Oliver Ray, from Sarasota, Fla. The division moved into an industrial area of Falluja after fighting their way through the north where insurgents have taken hold.


http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2004/11/13/international/14iraq_slide03.jpg



Cpl. Joel Chaverri, a combat photographer also known as Kodak.


http://graphics7.nytimes.com/images/2004/11/13/international/14iraq_slide05.jpg

Cpl. William Johnson, from Philadelphia
Sparrowhawk
11-14-04, 08:18 PM
Even without the eyes being open, the stare is there


http://graphics7.nytimes.com/images/2004/11/13/international/14iraq_slide01.jpg

Lance Cpl. Michael Pristavec is one of the marines with Company B, First Battalion, Eighth Marines, who took a break on Saturday in Falluja.
snipowsky
11-14-04, 08:56 PM
My prayers are with your friend Cook. Hope he makes a speedy recovery!

Kickass 8th Marines!
NEWB
11-14-04, 10:14 PM
My best to you friend, and he will be in our family prayers. Semper Fi.


NEWB
MillRatUSMC
11-14-04, 10:26 PM
Cook,
When I first saw the title, I thought it was going to be about the "Malboro Marine" in the photo by the L.A Times...he has the
1000 Yard Stare.
On reading of your friend "Gus" and what he is undergoing...all we can do is offer our prayers for his recovery...

Semper Fidelis/Semper Fi
Ricardo

PS
I think we all had that 1000 Yard Stare, but we could never see that .
Only others could see that in us.
thedrifter
11-14-04, 10:59 PM
Prayers All the Way Around......


Ellie