First, thank you all for everything that has been done over the past 24 hours. I am amazed at reading the posts, how everyone has come forward. I’ve read and reread the posts. Tears keep streaming down my face each time I read them. Thank you for your kind words, thoughts, prayers, and concerns for me and my family.
Chris’ passing is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to face. It isn’t getting easier at this point as at every turn I find myself being reminded of my only son. As many of you who knew, Chris and I shared a “special” relationship -- we were very, very close to say the least. He really looked after me, more than I looked after him over the last few years. He lived for Trad Gang and the friendships he had with so many of you. He was a kind, thoughtful, and energetic person whose passion was for anything that was hunting and fishing related.
Sorry for such a long, drawn-out post, but I need to say a few things. Many have asked me what happened. So please bear with me as I explain it.
The civil and military authorities will not tell me much about the accident until the investigation is over. The accident occurred about 7:20 p.m. Monday eve. I was able to visit the scene of the accident yesterday, and from the accounts of the soldiers that have been escorting me, a vehicle turned in front of Chris as he was traveling on a major thoroughfare in Columbus. Georgia. About 6:30 p.m. on Monday, the 13th, Chris called me and we were talking for a while discussing some of our upcoming planned hunts. He received a call from the mechanic where he was having some work done on his truck. He put me on hold, and when he came back to me, he said that some parts were needed to finish his vehicle. Since the next morning temps (yesterday) were going to drop down so low, he didn’t want to be on his motorcycle going to and from work. So he was going to pick up his truck and then return it back to the mechanic when the parts arrived. He asked if I would stay on the phone with his youngest son while he went to get his vehicle. Justin asked if he could go play his game, so I told him that he could call me if he had any problems before his dad returned home. After an hour of not hearing back from Chris, I called his phone and got no answer. I didn’t want to call Justin as I thought he might already be in bed. I tried one more time to call my son with no luck, but thought both he and Justin had retired for the night. About 11:00 p.m. I received a call on my phone and saw that it was Justin, my first words out of my mouth were: “Boy, why are you still awake this late on a School night. You need to be in bed.” All I heard after that was “Dad’s dead.” I was devastated at that point. Then the Fort Benning Chaplain spoke to me and my wife and then his Commanding Officer spoke to us. My wife and granddaughter threw some clothes in a bag for me, and about 12:30 a.m. I hit the road for the 4 ½ - 5 hour trip from Pensacola (my home) to Chris’ place at Fort Benning (Columbus) Georgia to get Justin (the youngest grandson) who Chris had custody and also to take care of the arrangements here.
My family is upset to say the least. His oldest son is on his way from Iraq, his daughter along with my wife were and still are probably taking this hardest. His youngest son who rarely shows any type of emotion has shed tears many times over this.
The family does not want to relive this again, so we have decided against a funeral. Fort Benning will have a memorial service in his honor. After seeing Chris in the Morgue (sp?) yesterday, and talking it over with the family, we have decided cremation is what the family wants at this time. The National Cemetery in Pensacola will place a headstone in memory of Chris. They located a spot about 20 yards from where my mother is buried. So he will have a spot near his grandmother. Since Chris is “an outdoorsman” his ashes will be spread “in the woods” at a special, beautiful location that I have discussed with Terry Green. Chris would want this, and his hunt can continue.
Thank you, one and all. You don’t know what TG meant to my son, and what it (you all) mean to me and my family.
Topic: Thank you!!! (Read 2759 times)
