Deduke
10-25-06, 10:40 PM
Bob Gaffigan should be 56 years old, but he isn't. He should
have married his High School sweetheart and raised a family in
Silver Springs, Maryland, but he didn't. He should be nearing the
conclusion of a successful career and looking forward to retirement,
but he isn't.
On October 26, 1970, Bob Gaffigan became forever nineteen.
On the 38th day of his tour in-country he joined the men on the
Wall. His sons and daughters were never born. His parents never got
to welcome him home for Christmas dinner. His brothers never got to
share with him a welcome home beer and ask all the questions that
brothers ask. His girlfriend never got to send that next letter to
tell him how much she misses him, and to be careful. He never got to
buy a legal drink.
Some of you guys already know the circumstances of his
death, so there is no sense in going over that again. Bob was my A-
gunner, and he was a damn fine Marine. Bob was only with us for one
fire fight, but he accounted for himself well. It was the darkest
night I remember. We had just saddled up and moved out toward a
treeline to our bush sites. It was so dark that I couldn't see the
barrel of my gun. I had to listen for the footsteps of the guy in
front of me to tell where I was going. I know Bob was scared
****less because my ******* was puckered up pretty tight. I could
tell we were getting close to the treeline because I could smell it
and feel the difference in humidity. The VC opened up from our left
front. I dropped and pulled the trigger. God, how I loved to pull
that trigger. Before I could empty my assault pouch, Bob was there
on my left. I reminded him to hook up a belt of ammo, but he was
already ahead of me. I don't know if he fired his M-16 or not, but I
do know that he had belts of ammo hooked up. I was very proud of
him: his first firefight and he did his job before being told.
So Bob is more than a name on panel 06W, line 23. He is more
than forever nineteen. He is forever a Marine, and a damn fine
Marine. On this 36th anniversary, give him a thought, join me in a
toast, and remember that someday we will be the FNG's and Bob will
be the old salt.
The summer went so quickly this year.
Semper Fidelis
Deduke
have married his High School sweetheart and raised a family in
Silver Springs, Maryland, but he didn't. He should be nearing the
conclusion of a successful career and looking forward to retirement,
but he isn't.
On October 26, 1970, Bob Gaffigan became forever nineteen.
On the 38th day of his tour in-country he joined the men on the
Wall. His sons and daughters were never born. His parents never got
to welcome him home for Christmas dinner. His brothers never got to
share with him a welcome home beer and ask all the questions that
brothers ask. His girlfriend never got to send that next letter to
tell him how much she misses him, and to be careful. He never got to
buy a legal drink.
Some of you guys already know the circumstances of his
death, so there is no sense in going over that again. Bob was my A-
gunner, and he was a damn fine Marine. Bob was only with us for one
fire fight, but he accounted for himself well. It was the darkest
night I remember. We had just saddled up and moved out toward a
treeline to our bush sites. It was so dark that I couldn't see the
barrel of my gun. I had to listen for the footsteps of the guy in
front of me to tell where I was going. I know Bob was scared
****less because my ******* was puckered up pretty tight. I could
tell we were getting close to the treeline because I could smell it
and feel the difference in humidity. The VC opened up from our left
front. I dropped and pulled the trigger. God, how I loved to pull
that trigger. Before I could empty my assault pouch, Bob was there
on my left. I reminded him to hook up a belt of ammo, but he was
already ahead of me. I don't know if he fired his M-16 or not, but I
do know that he had belts of ammo hooked up. I was very proud of
him: his first firefight and he did his job before being told.
So Bob is more than a name on panel 06W, line 23. He is more
than forever nineteen. He is forever a Marine, and a damn fine
Marine. On this 36th anniversary, give him a thought, join me in a
toast, and remember that someday we will be the FNG's and Bob will
be the old salt.
The summer went so quickly this year.
Semper Fidelis
Deduke