Posted on 05/28/2003 9:43:57 PM PDT by kristinn
I've been asked to start a prayer thread for Joel Kernodle. He was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident Memorial Day weekend as he returned from visiting fellow veterans in West Virginia.
Joel, known as PointManHerc, was the inspiration for the Patriots Rally for America III held in 9 degree weather on the morning of January 18 this year in Washington, D.C. He and his group of veterans, MOVEOUT, came to our nation's capital to stand up against the communist-led anti-war demonstration that day. They were doing for those serving now what wasn't done for them when they served in Vietnam.
Here is a message I received tonight about Joel's condition: His wife and a couple of bro's made it to him and apparently he was conscious for awhile and gave Marla's hand a squeeze. Docs say tonight is going to be an extremely rough and decisive one. Trying to get as many folks praying for him as we can.
I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet him that day, and I am so sorry he's gone.
I do hope he noticed (and got some degree of personal satisfaction from) the severely-reduced attendance at ANSWER rallies after March.
There will be NO Chapel services.
The burial will be STANDARD Marine Corps enlisted burial services consisting of an 8 man burial party, 7 man firing detail, NCOIC, Chaplain, bugler and a contingent of the Marine Corps Band for ruffles and flourishes.
All services will be conducted at the gravesite.
All participating in the ceremony are advised to be formed in group by 1015 hrs. All in party are to meet at the above mentioned Admin Center. All in party are advised to come equipted with adequate but minimal transportation to follow the burial party and hearse from the admin center to the gravesite.
All attending ceremony are to be at Admin Center with transportation at no later than 1030 hrs.
Floral arraingments will be the responsibility of the attending parties and will be left at the gravesite until the administrator or his representitive deems them to be either to faded or unsightly to be of a dignified nature. Wreaths must be of the type that can be pegged into the ground via self contained wire legs.
Gravesite section and plot number will be made public knowledge no more than 24 hours prior to the service. (The female Army SFC that I spoke with told me to call on Saturday prior to the service before noon and she'll tell me the section number and grave number as a courtesy to our group.)
It is requested and expected that all salutes rendered by non-active duty military personell be done by placing the right hand over the heart instead of the traditional military salute. Proper decorum is expected. Unless specifically approached by the NCOIC of the burial party, it is requested that all members of the attending party restrict contact to the burial party to the Chaplain only.
Attire is expected to be of a dignified nature but does not have to be formal. (No shorts and tank tops and flip flops etc.) Head gear is acceptable but must be removed and placed over the heart during salutes and benedictions.
It is requested that the attending parties retreat from the gravesite immediately after the Chaplain's retreat and remain away from the gravesite until the grave is properly filled and the guard retreats.
That's it for now. Like all stories there is more to tell, but it will have to wait until Joel is laid to rest. I will be at Arlington and would be delighted to meet any DC FReepers. Those folks are awesome!
John Hughes - Honorary Chairman
C Co., 3rd Marine Reg., 3rd Marine Div.
Recipient - Purple Heart
Two tours of duty - Vietnam
Leonard Magruder - Founder/President
Former professor of psychology, Suffolk College, N.Y.
Dear friends:
On behalf of myself and the Board of Advisors of Vietnam Veterans for Academic Reform, I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and members of the 1st Marine Division Association of Indiana on the tragic loss of Joel Charles Kernodle. I didn't know Mr. Kernodle that long, but in that time it wasn't long before I realized that here was a remarkable man, and a remarkable group of veterans. As some may know from reading our material, in the last year we began to urge Vietnam veteran groups to speak out more on the serious issues the nation faces, believing, as we do, that Vietnam veterans are now the natural leaders of America. Although we heard from a number of groups on this, Joel and his group were the ones ready to roll. An example of this is how many Association members traveled, sometime long distances, to stand up for America at the Jan. 18 anti-war demonstration in Washington. In his "Call to Arms" he reminded others of how , in the 60's, a similar group of radicals gave "aid and abettment" to the enemy and recalled the discrimmination vets experiened when they returned home because of the misinformation of the anti-war movement. And he went on to announce "a war, if you will, against the stance and arrogance of the leftist radical movement." The presence of he and his group that day in Washington was to assure that "The radical left is not going to be given the sole position of presenting the only voice of the will and wishes of our people." It was a heroic occasion. Veterans who certainly remember the sacrifices of Vietnam , and the shabby manner in which they were treated upon their return, were nevertheless there that day, again standing up for America. Both media and campus, he said, were giving a "false impression" of the world crisis. That remains a most dangerous issue , and we addressed it most recently in our Manifesto ---.(This may be seen at http://members.aol.com/bearo/index.htm ). But is was Joel and his men, badly outnumbered that day, who stood their ground and told the nation the truth. "Let it be known", he said," that this United States Marine combat veteran will, if necessary, stand for his nation, his loved ones, our way of life, and the truth, along with a small band of his brothers, alone again if necessary, but hope not, in Washington , D.C." Semper Fidelis, Joel Charles Kernodle
No, he was not alone then, nor is he alone now. He and his brothers went to Washington and they did it. And we remember, and we were inspired, and we will try to carry on in that fire that he and his brothers started that day. I know that he and his Association have many more accomplishments to their credit, but this event, coming at this time in our national history, certainly must have been a high point.
Joel Charles Kernodle, we salute you, and we will sincerely miss you. You were a good friend, and an inspiration to us all.
Leonard Magruder
President
Vietnam Veterans for Academic Reform
Board of Advisors - National
Mr. Richard Kitson - President, Vietnam Veterans of America - Suffolk Chapter (New York)
Mr. Dennis Garbosky - founder, Vietnam War Historical Society (New York)
Lt. Col. Chuck Allen (ret.) - founder, “National Vietnam Veterans Review” (North Carolina)
Mr. Ray Gallagher - past Commander, American Legion - Toronto (Canada)
Col. Stanley Horton - former Director, V.V.Leadership- Houston (Texas)
Mr. John Lowe - Commander, Native American Veterans Association (Kansas)
Mr. Roger Young - Co-Editor, “Northwest Veterans Newsletter”, and military consultant - (Washington)
Mr. Stephen Markley - former Director, V.V.Leadership - Minnesota (Kansas)
Dr. William Beausay - Academic Consultant - psychology (Ohio)
Mr. Steve Hawkins - President, Committee on the Crisis in Education (Kansas)
Mr. William Street - history - Vietnam War (Hawaii)
Mr. Dan M. Steinruck - Virginia State Director for Point Man Ministries (Virginia)
Mr. Bernie Russo - President, VVA Chapter #484, Editor, VVA Newspaper- Conn. Edition (Connecticut)
Mr. Joseph P. Larson - Consultant - Computer Science (Kansas)
Beverly Haire - Consultant - POW/MIA issues (Florida)
Mr. Bill Laurie - Academic Consultant - History of Vietnam War (Arizona)
Rev. Lloyd Snodgrass - Academic Consultant -Theology (Kansas)
Past members: Mr. David Horowitz - President, Center for the Study of Popular Culture (California)
Mr. Jack O’Brian - President, Vietnam Veterans of America - Long Island Chapter (New York)
Mr. Michael Capel - Editor, Campus Report, -AIA (Washington)
Magruder44@aol.com
Both of his children showed great courage. Joel's step daughter also gave a wonderful eulogy. The minister for the service had been one of Joel's boyhood friends. They attended the same school since 7th grade. His sermon was something special since he knew Joel so well.
There were many beautiful flower arrangements. On one side of the casket one from India Company and on the other side one from 3rd platoon. Both with red and yellow flowers At the end of the service they showed a video with pictures of Joel's life. Joel loved many things in his life but the top 3 were his family his friends and the United States Marine Corps. He considered all of you his friend. He will be missed but always be a part of India Company Joel will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetary on July 7th.
Thank you for all you have done during this sad time.
Semper Fi
Tim Johnson
I will see you in Arlington for Joel's burial service.
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