[Gunny Fitz]

Greetings All-

For many this is another long weekend with Monday being a Federal Holiday. For others it means the true start of summer and as traffic proves so well, the highways are jammed with all those headed to the beach, to visit friends and family, and to cook chicken, steak, hot dogs and hamburgers out on their new grills. Whatever it is you and your loved ones decide to do during these next few days, be safe and I hope your weather treats you right no matter what it is you decide to do!

However, Monday is Memorial Day my friends. A day to "remember in reverent thought" about all the men and women who without even knowing it was coming or been their time - those who were killed for our freedom overseas in any clime or place. Therefore, I ask that all of you take part in what is being requested by so many around the world. That at 1500 hours (3:00pm) in whatever time zone you are in, and take just 1 minute from your day to be silent and reflect on anything whatsoever that honors those who died preserving YOUR FREEDOMS - no matter what they are or how personally feel about war, politics, or anything else!

On this Memorial Day I will spend that 1 minute thinking of one of the best friends I ever had. A fellow Marine whom I met in 1988 as an Embassy Guard in Munich Germany. A man who lived life on the edge as both a Recon Marine Diver, LALO / LAHO Parachutists, etc (in the Marine Reserve Component) and as a civilian- a LAPD SWAT Operator that ended up being the best man in my wedding in 1994. In 2010, then a Battalion Sergeant Major in Helmand Province Afghanistan - riding out to a combat patrol with his troops (where he was spent time as a leader) in an Light Armored Vehicle (LAV), struck an incredibly massive fertilizer produced IED that literally flipped the 120 ton vehicle upside down nearly vaporizing him and the driver inside. I was actually called directly from the site within the hour of occurrence by a mutual friend, and was informed in detail. What was left of him was subsequently memorialized in an unreal service in LA, and then buried at Arlington Cemetery in the infamous Lot 60 amongst all others who were killed in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of whom i knew personally.
Therefore, THAT is who I will spend this 1 minute thinking of Monday.

I realize that many of the members here hail from many other places besides the USA. I can only assume that somehow, somewhere, and someone you knew has done something which impacted your lives even in the tiniest way which left a memory in regard to any war or act of terrorism. I truly believe that everyone has something to think of in silence on Monday, and with deepest respect thank you for both taking the time to read my words here, and perhaps participate in this moment of silence. Also, many thanks to all the Veterans and active duty members here on this forum!

A few links to honor my best friend, best man, and Marine SgtMaj. Hope you don't mind me including these and the photos attached my fellow members?
Semper Fidelis my friends!
Gunny

PS. I can't believe there isn't ONE US Flag within the "Smilies" here??

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/rjcottle.htm

http://www.forcerecon.com/SgtMaj-Robert-R-Cottle.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKf5dEVNKnw