Pelican Parts Forums - Three Warriors

Yesterday began with some expected, but still sad, news. Cindy's uncle Roland passed away. He checked out the way he wanted..in a bed at his coast home, a large picture window overlooking the Pacific. Roland was 1st Cav, Pacific campaign, Guadalcanal.

I asked Cindy if she still wanted to go to the Cue Ball & play pool. I'd picked up another copy of "Easy Company Soldier" as a gift to a friend, hoped Don Malarkey would be there to autograph the book. Cindy said being out of the house would be good for her. We pointed the Mustang North...

Once at the cue ball, I asked Tom, the counter guy, if he thought Don would be in for his weekly "golf" game on the snooker table, or if he was off on another of his morale building missions for the current troops. Tom said he'd be in, and there was going to be a surprise for Don, since his 89th birthday is the 31st...so an early birthday bash @ the hall was planned. There was a sheet cake, flag decorated, and other goodies.

After Don arrived, a guy dressed in Army BDU's came in, he wanted to do a bit of practicing before going to a meeting. He back from Iraq...mouthy Paul told him what was going on, who the "birthday boy" was, invited him to have some cake, say hello to Don. Teared me up as they chatted...he telling Don: "You had it a LOT worse than I did"... I could tell there was a connection. It spanned 65 years, but these two warriors knew combat, giving them a connection we mere civvies will never experience.

Of course, I didn't have my camera...but Leonard, another Cue Ball regular was there with his SLR, and said he'd email us some pics. I hope he does. When it was time for Cindy & I to pose with Don, he said: "I want to be close to the GIRL"...

Guys, if you want to make a woman born in '47 smile, have a soldier call her a "girl".

So, there you have it...my tale of yesterday...a tale of 3 warriors.

Oh..yes, I got the autograph...will be mailing the book off to a friend today.