... BT3 Lawrence John Reilly, Jr. He was about the same age as that girl who turns her back on our flag when he joined the U.S. Navy in 1966.

In 1969, defending that same flag (as well as those who disrespect it), he went to Vietnam on the destroyer U.S.S. Frank E. Evans. On June 3, 1969, he was one of 74 men killed when the Evans was cut in half in a collision with the Australian aircraft carrier Melbourne.

He left behind a wife and one-year-old son, who now has no memory of his father.

My Dad, by the way, was one of the survivors of the collision, escaping from the sinking front half of the ship just seconds before it sank.

You think that girl is "brave"? Nonsense. I'll tell you what brave is -- putting your own life at risk so that others can enjoy their lives in a society which "tolerates" disgraceful "political" expression like that exhibited by this girl.

----- jim o\-S

----------------------------------------- Lawrence John Reilly, Jr. -----------------------------------------
------------------------------------------ 9-22-1948 to 6-3-1969 -------------------------------------------