Jerry Williams, a.k.a. Gunslinger, PCSd to the platoon in the sky on 24 November 2008. Below is an excerpt from his eulogy which was written by Bill Sparkman, and delivered by Capt. Fred. - Jim Luke --------------------------- Jerry was and remained Air America. He began this final fight 3 years ago on Thanksgiving day.
I can only imagine the personal fight that went on in his mind everyday since then. A wounded Warrior, unable to fight anymore.
Now he's free and I'm sure he's already found a new audience to share his stories with.
I can't even remember the year I first met Jerry, but it was Memorial Day, had my Marine Corps and American flags flying, and like always on Memorial Day, I was sitting in my garage sipping my scotch, already half off the wall.
This red Lincoln Continental pulls into my driveway and out comes Jerry wearing his flight suit and 1st Calvary Hat, hidden behind his dark glasses. I walked out and asked "can I help you?", and he said "are you a combat veteran?"
Well three hours later, and a few more scotches down my throat and at least a six pack down his, he got up, said, "I'll be right back", drove off, came back in 10 minutes with a China Post 1 application card and said, "here, fill this out!", which of course I did, and we sat down and had a few more rounds before he left.
And so it went, Jerry would disappear for a while and come back, we would have our little social events with others from CP1 in Jerry's dungeon, and the years passed.
Because of Iraq and Afghanistan, our little group withered away.
Gunslinger's death hurt the most because of his passion, boisterous language, stubborness, and atttitude toward life, "Kill 'em all and let God sort the out". Although I will miss Jerry and his "pain in the ass" demeanor, I am happy that his final battle on this earth is over now, and I'm sure he is delighted to have the freedom to move around as he pleases.
He enjoyed Freedom and was truly a Dog Of War.
A good man has moved on.
God Bless You Jerry Man, aka Gunslinger. You were a hero up until your last breath. And Sinatra's song, "I Did It My Way!" is certainly applicable to you. You lived hard, although unfortunately not long enough for us, but the perfect amount of time for you to do your duty to your Country.
Jerry, you were a good friend! See you there Brother!
Robert Goingsnake Thundercloud
Sent: 17 Aug 2007
Raise a glass to passing of a true warrior. Robert Goingsnake Thundercloud, CP1 and 40&8 member, has transferred his membership to Post Eternal.
Rob did four tours in Viet Nam as a member of the United States Marine Corps and is the only man I ever met with a gold cluster on his Purple Heart. He also earned more combat medals than I can count.
When the war was over he had a problem fitting into the peacetime Marines so, as he was a brilliant artist, he went to college graduated with a degree in art and became the art director for a major manufacturer.
All this while serving on the gang unit of the ComptonCA Police Department where he was wounded twice in the line of duty. He was the only officer to earn both the Compton PD Medal of Valor and the Medal of Honor since 1921.
Rob was a man of honor and a true friend to those of us who were privileged to know him. Our country and truly the world is a poorer place without him.
- Written by Jim Luke, Sr. Vice Commander China Post #1
Abe Goldfarb added this insight into Thundercloud’s amazing life - "Incidentally Thundercloud was an ardent skydiver, with over 4500 jumps. His goal was 5000, but he never made that number. He used to give the onlookers a thrill. He rigged his 2 parachutes to fail, and just before landing (hitting) the ground, he had a belly chute that worked and he would open it to the surpirse of those watching from the ground."
James Thomas 'Knuckles' Luke, Jr.
Here is the Eulogy for James Thomas 'Knuckles' Luke, Jr., written by his son, James T. Luke, III. This was read at the CP-01 and 40&8 meeting in Las Vegas on 23 Sep 2011.
EULOGY:
----------------------
My Name is James Thomas Luke, III, SAL member, and the son of Jim “Knuckles” Luke, Vice Commander of CP-1.
As most of you all know my dad passed away Sept. 12th, 2011. It was, and is still, a very sad day. I am writing this letter on behalf of my dad, because the last couple of weeks he was having lots of trouble with his battle with cancer. He fought like a warrior, and like all warriors, their fight has to end sometime after an heroic battle, but never will be forgotten.
Jim was a man full of passion, love, tons of loyalty, and every now and then a little piss and vinegar, but that was Jim.
One thing the man loved more than anything was China Post, and the 40&8. He loved nothing more than hanging out in the hospitality room melting ice cubes with the likes of Bill Sparkman, Fred Platt, Abe Goldfarb, H. Ownby, and Roger Gowen, just to mention a few.
Now, he is in the big Platoon in the sky, looking down with some of the Legends, like Jerry ‘Gunslinger’ Williams, Robert Thundercloud, and lots of others of course, but these were who my dad talked about a lot.
These last few years my dad has had lots of health issues, and it has kept him from enjoying the privilege of being a Vice Commander of such a unique and distinguished American legion post with such colorful members from all over the world.. There was no one prouder to wear his dragon than my dad.
I know there are awards to pass down and honors to give out, and ice cubes to be melted, but before I conclude this letter, in Fine Bullshipper fashion my dad would have wanted to pull out his Challenge coin and have a drink with the whole room. If you do not have your coin you know what you have to do. Now that's Jim ‘Knuckles’ Luke, Vice Commander, CP-1 and 40& 8er, as I will remember him.
