Years After Vietnam, Father Rests in Peace

The Washington Post ^ | Thursday, June 13, 2002 | Susan Levine

[in the Arena]

After more than three decades of waiting, of wondering what and where and how, his daughters buried Lt. Col. Donald E. Parsons on Friday with full military honors. They walked behind a horse-drawn caisson for the final journey to his gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery. They stood for the sharp report of 21 gunshots and the moving simplicity of taps. They received from a commanding officer the American flag that had been draped over their father's casket, now folded into a sharp, taut triangle of mourning.

Full story...

[MistyCA]

Another incredible story. Thanks for posting it. How sad it is. I don't know how satisfied I would be if the only remains were two teeth. It's so heartbreaking. :(

[Squantos]

JFoxbear shared this with me and permitted me to post it to all...........



"ODE TO THE LONG RANGE PATROL"

He's five foot four, he's six foot five, he weighs one-ten to two o five, his hair is parted in many ways his pre-occupation is counting the days, He's 50 percent courage, he's 50 percent guts, or maybe he's just 100 percent nuts.

A mission is called, he's ready in ten, his tiger suit, weapon, and 5 other men.

Rations for 6 and survival needs, no time to look for his rosary beads.

The chopper is loaded and off they go, to slip through the jungle to challange the foe.

Once off the chopper the transition begins, he can't be a man and still hope to win.

He must be an animal, crude in his ways, in eating and sleeping and passing the days.

He fights the Viet-Cong in their time and place The results in our favor, were setting the pace.

The mission is over, he returns to lament, the miseries endured the lives that were spent.

A shower, a shave, dry clothes are in need, a cold beer to drink, some back mail to read.

In so doing he accomplished his goal, HE'S A HARD CORE MEMBER OF THE LONG RANGE PATROL.

May not apply to this individual case but just wanted to post it..........Thanks Jfoxbear.

Stay Safe ya'll..........

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thanks

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"I have had the honor of meeting two of the men from the teams who have been in VN searching for the MIA remains"

Thanks for reminding us of the unsung heroes.

[carpio]

Bump

[ppaul]

Links worth checking out.....

[MeekOneGOP]

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you so much for pinging me to this and for your post too.

[Cagey]

BTTT

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you Tonkin.

[sneakypete]

I don't know how satisfied I would be if the only remains were two teeth.

Don't be mislead by that. Many never got any remains at all back to bury. Even this family had nothing for years to prove it is "final". At least they have the teeth,and can now go to Arlington to visit actual remains of their father. This is no small thing.

It's so heartbreaking. :(

It can never be anything else.

[Vic3O3]

Hey, anybody have a link to the full story on this? I tried the Washington Post link but it is dead. And their site search is down at this time--at least for me.

TIA.

[MistyCA]

Thanks, Pete. Yes, I know you are right. It is so very sad.

[onedoug]

Thanks for yet another moving flag, OMB Brother.

None of these guys will have died in vain for such continued meaning for so many in their sacrifices.

[LadyX]

Thank you for the ping, Tonk, and the chance to say farewell to a fallen brother, and God bless to his family.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

1,900 to go. God Bless them all and we pray they all come home.

[summer]

bttt

[WellsFargo94]

My heart goes out to his family. May God keep them at peace. Thank you LTC Parsons and his family for the dedication and sacrifices that they all made.

[JudyB1938]

What a horribly sad story. Not only did the two sisters lose their daddy, but they also lost their grandma (suicide). Then they had to live through the horror of each of their mother's suicide attempts. At least they can have SOME peace now, with their dad's remains coming home where they belong.