MiamiCubano
El Martillo (My Boxing Name)
There is sometimes an oft-overlooked issue when it comes down to our brothers and sisters serving, namely their spouses, families, and loved ones. I found this very poignant and wanted to share it with my fellow Marines, and all other brothers/sisters who have served or are serving, because I know they will appreciate it. It serves as a reminder of just but one of the many reasons we do what we do/did, and, more importantly, how we are/were able to do it...
Enjoy:
(Sunday, Memorial weekend. I just came from my husband's grave. Here is the letter I wrote to him.)
5:55 am. The sun is a big round orange ball. My dearest Captain, I come to cry at your grave. I come to tell you Semper Fi - Good by my Captain. I love you. I grieve that I must leave you here while I move to Texas to be close to family.
SOME GOLDEN DAYBREAK.
The flags are flying; big ones on the lane and small individual ones on each grave. I don't want to leave you, Captain. I'm so glad you loved me so much and how you showed that love especially the last couple years when your cancer and dementia were slowly taking the life and confidence of my strong Captain.
I leave you beneath the giant oak tree, just where you would have chosen - at the head of the line from both ways--No. AA 189. The AA division marker is to your left, a fellow Marine from California is to your right. A world War I Mess Sgt Co K from Tennessee is just behind you. You can look out over the vast awesome pristine military cemetery at all your comrades from the Civil War to Iraq.
I grieve for what is not, and what might have been. I grieve for what is --an empty spot in my heart. Memories of your last breath comes crashing over my soul. I was there along with your son, family, close friends attended to by a precious Hospice nurse. I was there by your side, holding your hand, praying and loving you through it. I hope you heard me!
Taps have long ago faded.
Until reveille, my precious Captain. Rest softly until that golden daybreak!
Your dear heart, Jodi
From Jodi E. Dodson, a memorial to my husband Melvin Corroll Dodson, retired (deceased) Marine Captain. Thank you for the privilege of sharing this with the world.
And, in response to that email....
Mrs. Jodi E. Dodson's story, "Some Golden Daybreak" relating her "farewell" visit to and crying at the grave of her "dearest Captain," Marine Captain Melvin C. Dodson, USMC (Ret.) was one of the most awesome, touching and simply beautiful expressions of love I have read in a very long time.
I could just picture her there, kneeling at her beloved's gravesite, "talking to him" with tears in her eyes and pain in her heart, as she reluctantly tells him she's (understandingly) moving a long way from where he is buried to "live with family." Her pangs of distress and emotion just saps the readers heart strings. Her love for and devotion to her now deceased life- long partner comes through compellingly. After reading it, to put it simply and honestly, I cried! I read the remainder of the Newsletter with blurry eyes-so much so that I had to lay it down and re-read it again to see what other stories were in this issue, and while most were excellent, as usual, this simple story of a Marine wives stirring tribute to her Marine stood out the most.
I cannot believe that any Marine, Marine Wife, or Marine family member could read that touching tribute and not react the way I did.
Her story reminded me of former Commandant General P.X. Kelly's visit to a severely wounded and blinded Marine in the hospital. After the General expressed his greetings the young Marine quietly asked his "visitor" who he was. "I'm General Kelley, the Commandant" came the reply. The young Marine's silence led the Commandant to think perhaps he didn't believe him, after all, how many Marines ever get to chat personally with a four- star General who is also the Marine Commandant?
But before the General could react to the slight delay, the blinded Marine reached out his hand and touched the General's arm, tracing it up to his shoulder where the General's four stars were pinned. The wounded Marine fingered and touched each star, and as he did he quietly whispered, "one," "two," " three," and finally, "four." Then came a big smile from the young warrior, as he now "knew" this was indeed his Commandant.
After the visit and outside the hospital ward, the Commandant chatted with an aide, and with misty eyes said, "Where do we find such men?" The following day that aide delivered a small package to that Marine in the hospital; inside were the four stars from the General's uniform.
Why does Mrs. Dodson remind me of this story? Simple: after reading Mrs. Dodson's poignant story I ask almost the same question, "Where do we find such Marine wives?"
We have had discussions about wives "deserving" to wear our precious Eagle, Globe and Anchor-that singly distinctive badge of a special breed of men-many of whom are married to an even more special breed of women, the Marine Wife!
Does Mrs. Dodson deserve to wear an Eagle, Globe and Anchor if she so chooses? You bet your life she does, and if anyone ever tells you different, Mrs. Dodson, please let me know and I'll send you mine!
My wife of 56 years wears a very special pin every single day. It has our precious Eagle, Glove and Anchor above a beautiful laurel. She was there for me in Korea and again while I was in Vietnam. Mrs. Dodson, and Mrs. Merna, you are both very special Marine wives!
Semper Fidelis, Marines
Always Faithful, Marine Wives
Gerald F. Merna
Mustang
Semper Fi brothers/sisters.
Enjoy:
(Sunday, Memorial weekend. I just came from my husband's grave. Here is the letter I wrote to him.)
5:55 am. The sun is a big round orange ball. My dearest Captain, I come to cry at your grave. I come to tell you Semper Fi - Good by my Captain. I love you. I grieve that I must leave you here while I move to Texas to be close to family.
SOME GOLDEN DAYBREAK.
The flags are flying; big ones on the lane and small individual ones on each grave. I don't want to leave you, Captain. I'm so glad you loved me so much and how you showed that love especially the last couple years when your cancer and dementia were slowly taking the life and confidence of my strong Captain.
I leave you beneath the giant oak tree, just where you would have chosen - at the head of the line from both ways--No. AA 189. The AA division marker is to your left, a fellow Marine from California is to your right. A world War I Mess Sgt Co K from Tennessee is just behind you. You can look out over the vast awesome pristine military cemetery at all your comrades from the Civil War to Iraq.
I grieve for what is not, and what might have been. I grieve for what is --an empty spot in my heart. Memories of your last breath comes crashing over my soul. I was there along with your son, family, close friends attended to by a precious Hospice nurse. I was there by your side, holding your hand, praying and loving you through it. I hope you heard me!
Taps have long ago faded.
Until reveille, my precious Captain. Rest softly until that golden daybreak!
Your dear heart, Jodi
From Jodi E. Dodson, a memorial to my husband Melvin Corroll Dodson, retired (deceased) Marine Captain. Thank you for the privilege of sharing this with the world.
And, in response to that email....
Mrs. Jodi E. Dodson's story, "Some Golden Daybreak" relating her "farewell" visit to and crying at the grave of her "dearest Captain," Marine Captain Melvin C. Dodson, USMC (Ret.) was one of the most awesome, touching and simply beautiful expressions of love I have read in a very long time.
I could just picture her there, kneeling at her beloved's gravesite, "talking to him" with tears in her eyes and pain in her heart, as she reluctantly tells him she's (understandingly) moving a long way from where he is buried to "live with family." Her pangs of distress and emotion just saps the readers heart strings. Her love for and devotion to her now deceased life- long partner comes through compellingly. After reading it, to put it simply and honestly, I cried! I read the remainder of the Newsletter with blurry eyes-so much so that I had to lay it down and re-read it again to see what other stories were in this issue, and while most were excellent, as usual, this simple story of a Marine wives stirring tribute to her Marine stood out the most.
I cannot believe that any Marine, Marine Wife, or Marine family member could read that touching tribute and not react the way I did.
Her story reminded me of former Commandant General P.X. Kelly's visit to a severely wounded and blinded Marine in the hospital. After the General expressed his greetings the young Marine quietly asked his "visitor" who he was. "I'm General Kelley, the Commandant" came the reply. The young Marine's silence led the Commandant to think perhaps he didn't believe him, after all, how many Marines ever get to chat personally with a four- star General who is also the Marine Commandant?
But before the General could react to the slight delay, the blinded Marine reached out his hand and touched the General's arm, tracing it up to his shoulder where the General's four stars were pinned. The wounded Marine fingered and touched each star, and as he did he quietly whispered, "one," "two," " three," and finally, "four." Then came a big smile from the young warrior, as he now "knew" this was indeed his Commandant.
After the visit and outside the hospital ward, the Commandant chatted with an aide, and with misty eyes said, "Where do we find such men?" The following day that aide delivered a small package to that Marine in the hospital; inside were the four stars from the General's uniform.
Why does Mrs. Dodson remind me of this story? Simple: after reading Mrs. Dodson's poignant story I ask almost the same question, "Where do we find such Marine wives?"
We have had discussions about wives "deserving" to wear our precious Eagle, Globe and Anchor-that singly distinctive badge of a special breed of men-many of whom are married to an even more special breed of women, the Marine Wife!
Does Mrs. Dodson deserve to wear an Eagle, Globe and Anchor if she so chooses? You bet your life she does, and if anyone ever tells you different, Mrs. Dodson, please let me know and I'll send you mine!
My wife of 56 years wears a very special pin every single day. It has our precious Eagle, Glove and Anchor above a beautiful laurel. She was there for me in Korea and again while I was in Vietnam. Mrs. Dodson, and Mrs. Merna, you are both very special Marine wives!
Semper Fidelis, Marines
Always Faithful, Marine Wives
Gerald F. Merna
Mustang
Semper Fi brothers/sisters.
