This past month, the nation and the Marine Corps lost a Marine.
R.M 'Cook' Barela.
And I lost a dear friend, we had a lot in common.
We both did service in 1967 in Vietnam.
But in different Marine regiments.
Cook was with India Company 3rd Battalion 7th Marines.
While I was with Golf Company 2nd Battalion 1st Marines.
During part of 1967, we were just miles apart.
But it just might as well had been thousand of miles.
He wrote a lot about our war, in a book, short stories and poetry.
In the book, he tells with it really like, and what made us endure.
What best can be describe as madness.
It's not a noble or romantic adventure.
It's man at his lowest level, doing whatever to survive.
If you survive, forever you will suffer survivor guilt.
Why did I live and he died on any given date or time.

Later in his life Cook would write;
We fought for democracy and for a dream.
That was obtainable by the people of Vietnam.
We felt honored to have served our country,
To have been given the opportunity in life.
To be more than a witness to history.
If we failed,
It was not because we did not do our duty,
It was because others entrusted,
With higher responsibilities,
Failed to do theirs.
- R. M. 'Cook' Barela

TAPS

Day is done,

Gone the sun,

From the lakes

From the hills

From the sky,

All is well,

Safely, rest,

God is near.

Fading light,

Dims the sight,

And a star gems the sky

Gleaming bright,

From afar,

Drawing, near,

Falls the night.

Thanks and praise,

For our days,

Neath the sun

Neath the stars

Neath the sky,

As we go,

This, we, know,

God is near.

May God grant R.M 'Cook' Barela eternal peace we pray