My daughter and her reserve unit were in that conflict. He kept the troops safe as he performed his intelligence duties. My respect to this fallen officer! RIP
Thank you Olivia : When one reflex and wonders where did I get that courage, that sense of decency , that energy, the ability to mentor others. One just has to look back and see the folks that they admired and respected. I suppose the character that you acquired came from dedicated , decent folks , not only family but work mates. The fact that you recall Chad speaks volumes.
The boy next door, the one who was my sometimes babysitter, died in Vietnam. I will never forget coming home from school and finding his mother in my kitchen in he house we had just moved into over the summer with the news he was gone. He was all of 27, and every year I wonder what kind of a parent he would have been to some lucky child. It's been almost 60 years of wondering. Watching war movies on TV, I hate all of it. It robs us of too many exceptional people, and allows the unexceptional to claim rank over them, like DJT.
Bobby's loss, like Chad's, hangs over all of us left behind.
Rest in Peace, Robert Carovillano. You are still missed and remembered.
Thank you for this post. I, too, served in the 3rd SF group, the 92 Psy-Ops at Bragg, and in Vietnam as a recon platoon leader with the Big Red One.. A long time ago. Memorial Day is tough on me. I see young faces--like this LTC--long dead.
I was in Vietnam serving as a combat Marine. I remember many who died, but two in particular. Corporal Cizzlewch ( May be wrong spelling) was our first death. He saw a VC on a machine gun placement and pointed at it when he was hit in the throat and died almost instantly. I was on radio duty and heard the firefight and learned of his death by radio. I was a low-ranking boot PFC. The other, of many that I remember, was in 66 or 67when I learned that Lance Clp Beck, whom I joined with in Montgomery, Alabama in 1964, had died in the DMZ. From 1965 through 1968, I have seen many die or held them as they died. Death becomes familiar, and while not acceptable, it is recognized as something expected. You can learn to live with it and not show emotion or feelings because you already know it is there. When I was dealing with PTSD years ago, I wrote a story about a beautiful woman whom I called death. I waited for her each time I faced combat, but she liked me and would not take me, and allow me to rest. I was dammed to face her each time I went on patrol or rode down Hwy 1. Peace never came, even when I returned home. It will come when I no longer face a sunrise.
Thank you for sharing. During that era one day in Bethlehem, PA, I attended a live performance of Bach's Requiem. When the Contralto sang with extraordinary sincerity the Latin word for peace, I was lifted briefly into a realm where no war nor other turmoil existed. I believe you will one day share that experience with all whom you have cared for. Take care, Sir.
A moving tribute, Olivia. Thank you. Chad would be humbled reading these beautiful words and thoughts.
I am too thinking of all those brave and courageous service members who represent the very best in us.
What an insult to their memories to see the clown Sec Def, and his fellow sycophant’s strutting around with arrogance and incompetence day after day. It disgraces these fallen heroes in a most pathetic way.
My daughter and her reserve unit were in that conflict. He kept the troops safe as he performed his intelligence duties. My respect to this fallen officer! RIP
Thank you Olivia for sharing Chad’s story this Memorial Day. I admire your honesty and truth in your writing.
Absent Companions. 🥃
Thank you Olivia : When one reflex and wonders where did I get that courage, that sense of decency , that energy, the ability to mentor others. One just has to look back and see the folks that they admired and respected. I suppose the character that you acquired came from dedicated , decent folks , not only family but work mates. The fact that you recall Chad speaks volumes.
The boy next door, the one who was my sometimes babysitter, died in Vietnam. I will never forget coming home from school and finding his mother in my kitchen in he house we had just moved into over the summer with the news he was gone. He was all of 27, and every year I wonder what kind of a parent he would have been to some lucky child. It's been almost 60 years of wondering. Watching war movies on TV, I hate all of it. It robs us of too many exceptional people, and allows the unexceptional to claim rank over them, like DJT.
Bobby's loss, like Chad's, hangs over all of us left behind.
Rest in Peace, Robert Carovillano. You are still missed and remembered.
Thank you for this post. I, too, served in the 3rd SF group, the 92 Psy-Ops at Bragg, and in Vietnam as a recon platoon leader with the Big Red One.. A long time ago. Memorial Day is tough on me. I see young faces--like this LTC--long dead.
It is good to remember them.
Olivia you touched on all the points of a Memorial remembrance. Very strong message.
I was in Vietnam serving as a combat Marine. I remember many who died, but two in particular. Corporal Cizzlewch ( May be wrong spelling) was our first death. He saw a VC on a machine gun placement and pointed at it when he was hit in the throat and died almost instantly. I was on radio duty and heard the firefight and learned of his death by radio. I was a low-ranking boot PFC. The other, of many that I remember, was in 66 or 67when I learned that Lance Clp Beck, whom I joined with in Montgomery, Alabama in 1964, had died in the DMZ. From 1965 through 1968, I have seen many die or held them as they died. Death becomes familiar, and while not acceptable, it is recognized as something expected. You can learn to live with it and not show emotion or feelings because you already know it is there. When I was dealing with PTSD years ago, I wrote a story about a beautiful woman whom I called death. I waited for her each time I faced combat, but she liked me and would not take me, and allow me to rest. I was dammed to face her each time I went on patrol or rode down Hwy 1. Peace never came, even when I returned home. It will come when I no longer face a sunrise.
Thank you for sharing. During that era one day in Bethlehem, PA, I attended a live performance of Bach's Requiem. When the Contralto sang with extraordinary sincerity the Latin word for peace, I was lifted briefly into a realm where no war nor other turmoil existed. I believe you will one day share that experience with all whom you have cared for. Take care, Sir.
Thank you for sharing this. It's something I needed to hear today.
We do owe them the Country they died for. This trump & co., this destructive regime has got to go.
Utmost respect for your fallen leader and friend. Your notes here are welcome words.
Thanks Olivia and thanks Chad.
Respect
Touching
A moving tribute, Olivia. Thank you. Chad would be humbled reading these beautiful words and thoughts.
I am too thinking of all those brave and courageous service members who represent the very best in us.
What an insult to their memories to see the clown Sec Def, and his fellow sycophant’s strutting around with arrogance and incompetence day after day. It disgraces these fallen heroes in a most pathetic way.
"We owe them a country worthy of their sacrifice." Well said Olivia. I could not agree more.
Chad still lives in your heart and the hearts of his family and friends. Thank you for sharing his memory with us.