Tonight at West Valley Inn in West Warwick distinguished members of the UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS will gather to celebrate. The occasion is the 237th Birthday of the MARINE CORPS.
This year it is one day early due to scheduling conflicts. Several members of the Providence Police Department who I work with have organized it for several years.
Ed Malloy, Steve Cileli and Carl Weston along with several others have been working feverishly to bring a great format of events.
I met for breakfast and of course they are a little off as their good friend Jerry Sherlock is not with them tonight. He has reported for duty on the streets of Heaven where all MARINES return.
Ed was very somber when he sent out the invitations in August. Steve Cileli was excited about all the additional food that would be put out this year. He chuckled fondly about Jerry always circling for crackers and cheese and of course holding out for dessert. Carl Weston spoke of how much humor Jerry brought to the table. If thats true Jerry was the ringmaster of that cast of characters.
Ed slipped me the sheet for the Roll of Honor that will be called tonight. That list is read of the MARINES who have travelled on to the final journey.
It is a little quiet around here tonight. Jerry would make this the first stop on the way to the Dinner posing for pictures. Steve Cileli or I would drive him to the Dinner.
Of course the Corps marches on in History.
Ed Malloy tells me a photo of Jerry will be present at the head table. He is not forgotten and sorely missed by his fellow MARINES.
Happy Birthday and SEMPER FIDELIS MARINES!
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing this Frank. The first time around without Jerry, or Dad, or Papa, or Mr Sherlock is especially hard. I take comfort in the fact that I am not alone in this feeling. I go on trying to do as he would have done. He set a great example for us all to follow!
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