MEMORIAL DAY MEMORY BY Jerry Ball '65

Hi, Gloria,


Just a quick note to mark this occasion.

Our local community of Boerne put out 596 American flags denoting Kendall County's military deceased. From WWI there are 94; WWII 315; Korea 65; Vietnam 34; Desert Storm 3; Iraq 1; and 27 combined from the Mexican War, Civil War and the Spanish-American War.

I always remember one of the guys I served with, Dex Florence, on Memorial Day. You may remember that I mentioned two friends from my Vietnam days, Dexter Florence and John Matthews, in my retirement ceremony in Chapel 1 at Randolph. On that occasion, I read the description of Dexter's last mission:

“On 26 October 1972 1LT Dexter Bush Florence, pilot, and SSG Keven Zane Goodno, observer, were on a scout mission in an OH-6A Loach. While hovering at tree-top level, a command-detonated mine blew the OH-6 out of the air. SSG Goodno was killed instantly, while 1LT Florence was seriously injured. He was evacuated to Japan where he died on 29 October of injuries received.”

I remember being incensed when John wrote to me about how he, still recovering from his own war wounds, was mistreated in America (San Francisco, to be particular) while escorting Dex's body home.

Today, at 2100 Central Daylight Time, I will lift a glass in memory of a fallen comrade, Dexter Bush Florence, and the many others who have lost their lives in the never ending battle for freedom. If you get this e-mail in time and if your schedule and situation allows you to participate, I'd be honored if you'd share in this virtual "toast", too.

As always on Memorial Day, I rejoice to be alive and to be able to toast those who are not because of their commitment to our Nation.

God bless.

Jerry