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Captain Wilbur (Will) Dale Latimer
May 23, 1944 – January 19, 1971 |
Today is set aside for us to remember those who died in service to our country. If you are at all acquainted with me, you know my brother, Captain Wilbur (Will) Dale Latimer, is among that number. He died in the Vietnam War on January 19, 1971.
Ours was not a solitary experience, and like scores or others, we managed to adjust to our loss. Life goes on, as they say, which is probably what saved us from our grief. But our family was never the same after his death. Everytime I hear or read about the death of a service man or woman, I’m reminded of empty places at the holiday table, a listening ear no longer there, the absence of laughter and fun.
I believe I will see my fine brother again someday. Until that time, I will remember the good times we shared while he was here. Instead spending the day in tears and depression, I am looking back at the gift Will was to us.
If you know someone who’s lost a loved one in war, give them a call, drop them a line. Tell them you remember and you are grateful for their courage and sacrifice.
God bless America!
The rainbow comes and goes, and lovely is the rose; the moon doth with delight look around her when the heavens are bare, waters on a starry night are beautiful and fair; the sunshine is a glorious birth; but yet I know, where’er I go, that there hath past away a glory from the earth. William Wordsworth
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Ps. 116:15
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Published by Dorothy Johnson
I'm a lover of God, mother of three, grandmother of eight, and a collector of friends. I like nothing better than talking, listening, laughing and eating with that crowd. My husband, Terry, and I feel blessed to wake up each day to a magnificent view of the Arkansas River. An amazing variety of creatures, from bobcats and coyotes to deer, bunnies and nutria, along with all sorts of birds roam the natural area behind our house. We also share our home with three silly kitties. I often find a lesson in what I see both indoors and out on any given day and usually find myself writing about it. I hope you'll join me in exploring the ways God speaks to us through His creation.
View all posts by Dorothy Johnson
May God use your happy memories to comfort you.
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Wonderful tribute!
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I have fond memories of Will. When I was a little kid (4-5y or so) in the neighborhood, he was two years older. Not all the older kids were kind to us littler ones, but Will was. Likely never crossed his mind to be otherwise. That was the sort of boy/man Will was.
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Thanks, Dot. I have lots of good memories for which I am grateful.
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Thanks, Talya. I appreciate your sharing it!
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Good to her from you, old friend. I think you're right. I had followed Will and Ted around so much, it's just what they expected. We had a great neighborhood.
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I was stuck in traffic for 6 hours, this memorial day will definitely be remembered by me !
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Six hours stuck in traffic sounds terrible! I'm sorry to hear that. May it never happen again! But thank you for reading my blog!
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We thank your brother for the service and sacrifice he has done for our country. The Vietnam war has been put through the microscope nearly more than any other war in our century, with people picking on its ethics and rightness and what not. What shouldn't be lost is that there were people who were put in the ground there, and thus brought back certain loses and fall outs. I believe we should have the mechanisms to account for those, such as the ones who are left behind. Thanks for sharing that!
Brad Post @ Jan Dils, Attorneys At Law, L.C.
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Thanks for reading about my brother and for commenting. I agree that the veterans with PTSD, POWs, MIAs and their families suffered mightily because of the war's unpopularity and the way our politicians handled it.
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