The Choice Flowers of Springtime

Jerry's daughter, Joan found this photo of Jerry and scanned it to a digital photo. It is of Jerry in the Pacific carrying his M1 Carbine. The other MARINES are carrying Carbines as well.

I began the day with the Special Forces Association in Exeter at the Veterans Cemetery. One of my fellow Pipers, Sgt. Major David Morgan of The 43rd MP Brigade played Amazing Grace as a final Salute to the Fallen.

My final stop was at Rita and Jerry's grave. Another fellow worker had wanted to place a US Flag at the grave for Jerry. It was considerably warmer then the last time I was there. The Cemetery was full of folks paying respects to family members. It was truly full of the Choicest Flowers of the Springtime. We placed a second flag to the left of the head stone.

I leave you with the part of the passage from Gen. John A. Logan's order recognizing Memorial Day.

"The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit...... 

If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us. 

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan."

Gen. John A. Logan
Headquarters,
Grand Army of the Republic
Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868

Memorial Day - 2012

This day was honored in prior years with Jerry around. This is the first year where Jerry is not around and he is missed.



When you see a veteran, thank them for their service.

As Memorial Day approaches, a significant force is now missing.
 He is missed by the Saturday Lunch crew.
  He is missed by his fellow MARINES.
Above all, he is missed dearly by the Sherlock Clan.

Semper Fi Jerry.

Happy Mother's Day!

Marker in place

The bronze military marker is now in place on Jerry and Rita's grave site.




The weather was good Sunday to take a trip and get s couple of good photos:

Brouillard Brunch - Westbrook Beach visit

The Brouillard Brunch was held in Westbrook, CT on Sunday. The tide was low when we stopped at the beach. Far different from the last time we visited (Nov 2011)



For reference, on the prior visit the tide was much higher

Who's watching the parade?

Who's in this picture?



Steve, Bob, Mike, are easy enough to pick out. Then my guessing game starts.

Iwo Jima (video)

Some vintage video of the assault on Iwo Jima

Remembering

This is our first holiday without Dad. I am trying to write this with James Taylor singing "Carolina on My Mind" in the background. Tears fill my eyes and I take a break.

Why does Pandora play Kris Allen's "Live Like We're Dying" next?


This collage of photos was put together by Carolyn. Thank you!

Who's in the pool?

No, I am not talking about the pool for the current NCAA March Madness.

Some of the Joyal clans gathered at the Barrette's pool in the 1970's.



Who is in the pool?

If you have any ideas or guesses, you can either comment or send an email to me at
shersteve@gmail.com


-----
Thanks to my sister Joan for making this image available. There are a bunch of photos that she has taken the time to convert to a digital format so we will be able to share this history.

He Earned It

A few years ago, I had the honor of meeting Gerald F. Sherlock, United States Marine Corps, a WWII veteran of Saipan, Tinian, and 36 days on Iwo Jima. I was a Marine reservist from 1980 to 1984, and I've always been, and will always continue to be proud of the title, United States Marine. Never, however, have I been so proud to be a Marine as I was after having met Jerry. Meeting a man who fought in some of the most momentous battles in our history was like a young baseball fan meeting Ted Williams, or a young music fan meeting Elvis. All that aside, his best quality was his humility and sense of humor. Jerry was just a regular guy.

Shortly after meeting Jerry, I saw a contest, announced in small print, in the Sgt. Grit newsletter. It was a Marine Corps trivia contest, and the first 10 people that answered the questions correctly won a small bit of sand that had been taken home from Iwo. When mine came in the mail, it was like someone handed me the Holy Grail. I made up a small triangular box, painted red, with the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor symbol on the front, to hold my prize. I cherished it.

Once I got to know Jerry Sherlock, I felt it was only right to give the sand to him, from one Marine to another. He earned it. It was his. On the night of the last episode of The Pacific on HBO, a bunch of Marines got together with Jerry and his son, and watched The Pacific in reverent silence. After dabbing some moist eyes, I gave the box with the sand to Jerry. He was so appreciative, for once he was without words.

The next year, 2010, those same Marines and I took over as the committee for our local Rhode Island Marine Corps dinner. It is an honor to have over 175 Marines from all over Rhode Island break bread with us as we celebrate the birthday of the Marine Corps.

This past November, on the day before the dinner, Jerry was diagnosed with cancer. He came to the dinner as he always has, in good spirits, despite the bad news. We were once again honored to have Jerry in our midst; but we were also graced by the presence of Pat Femino, another Iwo veteran from Rhode Island. What we found amazing was that Jerry and Pat had never met! They became fast friends. Jerry's son in law Frank often took them out to lunch and made sure they stayed in touch.

In the last few months, he fought valiantly, as he had done for our country and for the honor of our beloved Marine Corps. PFC Gerald Sherlock stormed the beaches of Iwo Jima with the 4th Marine Division on February 19th, 1945. He left this Earth on February 19th, 2012 at the age of 86, 67 years to the day from when landed on Iwo Jima. Rest in peace my friend. Semper Fi.

Carl Weston


Originally posted to the Sgt Grit Newsletter
http://www.grunt.com/corps/newsletter/7219/?utm_source=sgnews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nlsgA032212

Dock at the lake

Lest there be any doubt about the dock and the boat 'house' at the lake, here is a photo from the archives that shows both.

Jerry was watching Steve playing at the water's edge.





Related posts about the lake
http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/2007/11/wilson-reservoir-former-joyal-place-at.html

http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/2007/12/paschoag-wilson-reservoir.html

http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/2008/03/joyal-cabin.html




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