A Patriot died yesterday.

20 Jul 02 | I got the rope

[I got the rope]

I've never posted anything on FreeRepublic. I guess I've never had anything profound to share with anyone until now. My wife's grand-father John "Pete" Howell of Andrews, Texas, died yesterday. He was 86 years old. He was my friend. He served his country as a medic in the 36th Infantry Division of the Texas Army National Guard in World War II. He was wounded in battle near the Rapido river and was captured. He spent 18 months in a Nazi prisoner of war camp so that we could be free...I'm going to miss him

[I got the rope]

Pete was a Christian, a Soldier, and Patriot.

[Neil E. Wright]

Please accept my sincere condolances for your loss, and my heartfelt thanks for his service to our republic.

Click on the image to visit the tribute page

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Toward FREEDOM

[Aric2000]

John "Pete" Howell of Andrews

Thank you for your service, to those who knew him, be at ease, he has gone to a better place.

from those of us who did not know him. Thank you sir for our freedom, and the sacrifices you made to make sure that those of our generation kept them.

Thank you sir, I salute you!!

[MeekOneGOP]

Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my General Interest ping list!. . .don't be shy.

[archy]

Attention to orders:

Detail: Hand...SALUTE:

[Click on the T-Patch below]

Order... ARMS!

[HiJinx]

Pete, may you rest easy now in God's hands. On behalf of a grateful Nation, thank you for your service...

And may our Lord's grace and mercy be with your family in their time of sorrow and need.

HJ

[spectre]

"He was my friend"

You were priviledged to have this man in your company. You'll never forget the accounts of him being a POW for 18 months..keep the stories alive.

sw

[Victoria Delsoul]

May John "Pete" Howell rest in peace and may the Lord grant unto him Eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the love of God and the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ bless and console your family and friends and gently wipe every tear from your eyes.

[EternalVigilance]

My deepest sympathy.

My great uncle served in Italy as well...he has spoken to me a few times about how bad it really was.

That theatre is forgotten by so many, but our boys paid a horrific price to beat the Germans, and to hold several dozen Nazi divisions there and keep them away from the Eastern or the Western Fronts.

Never forget.

EV

[RightOnline]

Father, we ask that you welcome Pete Howell home........that you give him a big hug and tell him "Well done, good and faithful servant." May you bless his family and bring them peace; the peace that comes with knowledge that their departed loved one is with You, Father. These things we ask for this wonderful man.....and in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

[Pippin]

You have my condolances for your loss. May you be comforted in knowing Pete's at peace with Our Lord and is reaping the rewards for his service and sacrifices.

You and your family are in my prayers. Be at peace!

[jellybean]

DIRGE FOR A SOLDIER
In Memory of Gen. Philip Kearny
By George H. Boker
(1823-1890)

Close his eyes; his work is done!
What to him is friend or foeman?
Rise of moon, or set of sun,
Hand of man, or kiss of woman?
Lay him low, lay him low
In the clover or the snow!
What cares he? He cannot know:
Lay him low!

As man may, he fought his fight,
Proved his truth by his endeavor;
Let him sleep in solemn night,
Sleep forever, and forever.
Lay him low, lay him low
In the clover or the snow!
What cares he? He cannot know:
Lay him low!

Fold him in his Country's stars,
Roll the drum and fire the volley!
What to him are all our wars,
What but death bemocking folly?
Lay him low, lay him low
In the clover or the snow!
What cares he? He cannot know:
Lay him low!

Leave him to God's watching eye,
Trust him to the hand that made him.
Mortal love weeps idly by:
God alone has power to aid him.
Lay him low, lay him low
In the clover or the snow!
What cares he? He cannot know:
Lay him low!

God's speed Pete...

[lodwick]

Thoughts and prayers up for you and your family. God bless, and God welcome Pete home.

Don't be a stranger here Rope. JL

[IronJack]

Sounds like the model of the citizen soldier. Greater love hath no man ...

R.I.P. with the salute of a grateful nation.

[WVNan]

Condolences and prayers. We will not forget those who served.

[archy]

Would you have a picture of Pete you might post, and give us a few biographical details of his life? He sounds like a FReeper who we somehow overlooked.

[The Shrew]

Amen! To a very well phrased prayer!

My regards to your family. Obviously it was not just Pete who paid a price in defence of our nation!

Regards,

TS

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Thank you for taking the time to post about your wife's grandfather, "Pete" Howell, your friend and an American Patriot. May he rest in the peace of His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and may the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, come to you and to all who knew and loved "Pete" Howell.

He saw his duty and he did it, and paid such a price - suffering in a Nazi prisoner of war camp!!!

He was from that generation of Americans that endured great trials and tribulations while sacrificing so much for our country, for their families, for freedom - and thinking not much about it (it's just what you knew you had to do - no biggie). But it was and is a biggie to us today as we think about your loss of your friend and America's loss of one of its finest.

May our country deserve forever the sacrifices "Pete", and so many others have made and are making for her.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Oh, and don't be a stranger to posting, now. You never know who needs to hear what you have to say!

[COB1]

Thanks for the bump and the beautiful poem, jellybean.

We as a nation have been privileged to have Pete Howell with us for 86 years.
I know his home country of Andrews, Texas, very well.
May he rest in peace.

Pete Howell, I salute you!
Thank you for your service.