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Please join me in a shot for the old man

Discussion in 'General' started by trancework, Feb 17, 2011.

  1. trancework

    trancework It's always now...

    Gary Thomas Atkins, 63, of Melbourne, FL passed away peacefully at about 11:30 this morning at Weusthoff Medical Center from complications after suffering a heart attack some two weeks back. During the course of his care, he was surrounded by and cared for by loving family and friends. He is a marine, he was my father.

    Dad enlisted in the corps in Charleston, WV during the Vietnam war under protest as his brother Melvin Lee Atkins was serving in the United States Air Force stationed in Germany and the corps had issue that he might be the family's sole surviving son should harm come. Dad loved the Marine Corps with ever fiber of his being. He was a Marine in every essence.

    Dad never spoke much about Vietnam. He served three tours with the 2nd Marine Reconnaissance Battalion. During this time he was awarded for valor for running across 100 yards of open fire to rescue two downed pilots in an AE4 Skyhawk that crashed at an airstrip his unit was guarding, opening the aircraft and cutting free the two airmen from the burning plane. He placed one on his shoulder and drug the other behind and ran back across the firefight. Both airmen survived--the airman on his shoulder took a bullet. They counted eight bullet holes in his uniform--he was not hit.

    Dad also fought in the multi-day NVC raid at Khe Sahn. I recall him telling of how when it was all done, the troops gathered in the open and they stripped naked and fire hoses were turned on as it was the first shower they'd had in more than a week. On another occasion he was with marines in a bunker where a mortar landed but did not explode. He and all of the servicemen with him considered themselves lucky to be alive.

    He was taken Prisoner of War twice. He was reported KIA multiple times. During the last time taken prisoner, he led an escape of multiple troops after an air strike hit the encampment in which they were being held. He led these troops through the jungle for several days, whereupon they eventually overtook and captured and American patrol joking "take us back or kill us, we're not staying in this jungle anymore". They were critically dehydrated and an infection caused him to lose most of his teeth. He kept fighting.

    He received a field commission in Vietnam for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to the Marine Corps.

    Upon returning stateside, dad joined AT&T climbing telephone poles and installing home service in Miami, FL. Eventually he moved to Melbourne, FL and over the next 25 years worked his way to management and mainframe computer technology with AT&T's network data systems. His love of the military and its values prompted him to join the Army National Guard where for another several decades he was with the 705th MP Company stationed out of Cocoa Beach, FL.

    The 705th's MOS was EPW, enemy prisoner of war, so they were one of the first units activated during the first gulf war. Dad was stationed in Quwait and Iraq. His unit ran the massive POW camp for the Iraqi's fleeing Saddam's evil empire for the dignity and security of American internment.

    Everywhere he went, Sargent Atkins was immensely popular. He was well respected by his troops and known for his combat sensibility, irresistible barbecue, his interminable spirit, his intense love of barracks poker, the ladies, and the unbreakable bond he'd paid dearly for with American men and women in harm's way.

    He is survived by his wife, Melinda, daughter and son-in-law Angela and Jason, his son, Jason, and grandchildren, Grayson and Charles (Jack-Jack).

    Good night, marine. May your boots enjoy a well-earned rest. We will always love you. Dad believed that life was meant to be lived--with this, there will be no services. The family has requested that in lieu of gifts, please consider making a donation to the injured Marine Fund at www.semperfifund.org.

    http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?p=738245#post738245
     
  2. sk8rat

    sk8rat Well-Known Member

    Your dad surely was a trooper may he rip
     
  3. Suburbanrancher

    Suburbanrancher Chillzilla

    Sorry to read of your loss - your father sounds like a good man who devoted himself to taking care of his fellow man.

    May he rest in peace.
     
  4. H8R

    H8R Bansgivings in process

    Godspeed Marine.
     
  5. SpeedyE

    SpeedyE Experimental prototype, never meant for production

    ONe shot for your father....one shot for his military service. Semper Fi
     
  6. R Acree

    R Acree Banned

    Godspeed. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
     
  7. trancework

    trancework It's always now...

    Thank you :(
     
  8. Putter

    Putter Ain't too proud to beg

    :stupid:
     
  9. 969

    969 Well-Known Member

    Godspeed, and may he rest in peace.
     
  10. tony 340

    tony 340 Well-Known Member

    RIP dad
     
  11. RubberChicken

    RubberChicken PimpMasterT

    Sounds like a life well lived. Condolences to you and your family on your loss.

    Godspeed to your Dad.
     
  12. Hyperdyne

    Hyperdyne Indy United SBK

    Well done Marine...
     
  13. karrotx

    karrotx Well-Known Member

    Certified badass.

    RIP
     
  14. Shenanigans

    Shenanigans in Mr.Rogers neighborhood

    RIP, Sgt. Atkins. Prayers to your family.
     
  15. beac83

    beac83 "My safeword is bananna"

    My condolences to you and your family. RIP Marine.
     
  16. SVRacer183

    SVRacer183 Mr. Slate

    Sorry for your loss and thank you for the story. It hit me like a ton of bricks. WOW, what an inspiring story.

    Godspeed Marine, Semper Fi
     
  17. mavrik82

    mavrik82 Well-Known Member

    You make me proud to be a former Marine,Semper Fi Sarge.
     
  18. Mongo

    Mongo Administrator

    Thank you Marine, you'll be missed.
     
  19. Rodney Vest #310

    Rodney Vest #310 Well-Known Member

    Semper fi once a Marine always a Marine.

    You know where is now cause remember "God has a hard on for Marines"
     
  20. MudDawg

    MudDawg Engine Killah

    RIP marine. Our world is better for you having been in it.
     

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