John Ritchson death at 52.

[Charles Black]

Remember me as i walk away

for you i lived and died this day

And in this moment i can recall

that as i fell i still stood tall

Into the falling night i cry

tell them i love them and tell them why

I am not there to see them grow

or curb the wild oats they sow

I am the one with arms held wide

even in death not stepping aside

For god and country i am here

your pain i hold i feel your fear

Freedom is my gift to you

as i left, this price i knew

I am so cold and so afraid

and as the fear begins to fade

I think of those to follow me

to give their lives to liberty

As i taste death's embrace

i pray for strength and a bit of grace

Let me die as i have lived

leaving nothing to forgive

My eyes are heavy let me rest

I know now i have done my best .........

John, you shall suffer no more, you did great things for the research community and for this country, And for that I thank You, You will be missed...

All those Marines gaurding heavens gates, tell that one with the white feather in his hat I said hi.....

From all your fellow shooters, we miss you both..Rest In Peace brother.........

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you Ryan. The above weighs both heavily and proudly on all who have worn the uniform.

John seemed to always do as he had always done. And those things very courageously were, far above and beyond the call of duty.

He certainly rests with those few very honored.

Charlie Black

[Al Carrier]

Remember me as i walk away

for you i lived and died this day

And in this moment i can recall

that as i fell i still stood tall

Into the falling night i cry

tell them i love them and tell them why

I am not there to see them grow

or curb the wild oats they sow

I am the one with arms held wide

even in death not stepping aside

For god and country i am here

your pain i hold i feel your fear

Freedom is my gift to you

as i left, this price i knew

I am so cold and so afraid

and as the fear begins to fade

I think of those to follow me

to give their lives to liberty

As i taste death's embrace

i pray for strength and a bit of grace

Let me die as i have lived

leaving nothing to forgive

My eyes are heavy let me rest

I know now i have done my best .........

John, you shall suffer no more, you did great things for the research community and for this country, And for that I thank You, You will be missed...

All those Marines gaurding heavens gates, tell that one with the white feather in his hat I said hi.....

From all your fellow shooters, we miss you both..Rest In Peace brother.........

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you Ryan. The above weighs both heavily and proudly on all who have worn the uniform.

John seemed to always do as he had always done. And those things very courageously were, far above and beyond the call of duty.

He certainly rests with those few very honored.

Charlie Black

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Very nice and deserving posting Ryan. I couldn't agree more with Charlie and all on their thoughts on John. I cannot begin to explain how saddened I was when I learned of John's passing. He has suffered a great deal in life and while it is tragic that he left us so young, he is deserving of the rest and reward he is now receiving. I have considered him a friend and a valuable researcher and he will be greatly missed.

Not long ago, I lost another associate who was ironically another VN vet. He was getting files for me from the archives and tracking down a subject's files when he was ran down by an elderly driver when crossing the street.

John had been doing some work on external ballistics in regards to the assassination and I had passed on some charts I had put together. I had not seen him post or publish on it yet, but may have shared a finished or near finished product with others that I am not aware of.

Again, I will miss him a great deal and the comfort I can feel in this is that he has earned this peace. May the peace of the Lord be with him and his family.

Al