A little Charlie Brown tree...

Today, four of us old timers put down a final marker for a fallen Soldier. Barney, Bob, Wink and I placed a flag and a plaque at the base of an Autumn Sunset maple tree that we had planted in memory of Wink's son, SPC Damon Winkleman who was killed in Afghanistan in September (See article below).

My wife, Pam, and I thought it would be nice to plant a tree for Damon rather than get flowers. So, we shared our idea with some of our Army buddies and 13 of them responded favorably. I'm sure we could have had more, but this worked out fine and got the ball rolling. We had the tree planted at Damon's high school in Loudenville because we thought that would be a place the students, faculty and citizens of this beautiful little town would visit almost daily, a place they would see this reminder that our freedom is not without a price, and sometimes it's borne by the sons and daughters of people from small towns like this. We are hoping they respect this site for what it is -- not a political statement, not a pro or con on anything -- just a remembrance of SPC Winkleman and what he did for us.

I want to thank the Superintendent of the Loudenville Schools, Mr. John Miller. I have known John for a long time and appreciate his assistance.

It was good that Barney (a retired CSM), Bob (a retired 1SG) and his wife, Polly, Jim (still serving as a 1SG), Wink (still serving as an OPNS SGM), and my wife Pam and I were able to get together to do this. Afterward, we all sat around a table at the local diner, had lunch and told old stories (some we've told before I'm sure) and just maybe brought some laughs to what was otherwise a dreary but proud day.

The way I figure it, this tree will last about 45-50 years or so, telling its story to those who will listen. What better place than a school to put this reminder of this Damon's life and this testament to his courage and compassion. I hope the tree grows strong and turns that brilliant shade of redish-orange in the fall that Damon liked. If you look at it right now, shivering in its new home, complete with its remaining 3 leaves, it looks like it has a ways to go. But I'm sure it will do just fine.

Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations, that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of a free and undivided Republic. (John A. Logan)

Hooah