Dear Ron Moyer Family and Friends,
I am so very sorry to learn of Ron's passing. We were brothers at arms, young infantry paratroopers, in Vietnam and we became great friends then and for the rest of our lives. Ron and I stayed in touch over the years and both of us traveled long distances to see each other and renew our friendship as often as possible.
Ron was a true patriot and one of the bravest soldiers I ever encountered in active ground combat. We served together in the same platoon and endured savage, toe to toe combat in many battles over several months together. I could always count on Ron to "have my 6."
Ron was a good man who loved America with his whole heart, mind, body and soul. We saw many good warriors fall in battle and we swore we would never forget them or their brave heroics. We kept our word and honored them at every opportunity. Unlike them, we both lived long lives and we both had to adapt to the ravages of advancing years and the deadly effects of exposure to Agent Orange, a powerful and deadly defoliant used to clear away large swaths of jungle during the war. It has claimed hundreds of thousands Vietnam veteran's lives. Now, most sadly, Ron has joined their ranks.
Ron has heard the bugle call and has fallen in with his brothers at arms... those who fell on many battlefields and those like him, who joined the ranks of those brave souls, who fell long after the guns were silent and long after war's end.
Soon, I too, will hear the bugle call and I will be most honored to regroup with men like Ron Moyer. I salute you, Ron, and I will never forget you, now and through eternity, forever brothers. Til' we form again, my brother, we remain true to God, country and each other. Say, "Hi to the guys," for me, Ron and reassure them they are not, and never will be, forgotten. "HOOAH!" to all and thanks for giving your all despite overwhelming odds. HEROES ALL. For Ron and all our brothers.
“WHEN YOU HEAR THE BUGLE CALL”
The Poem from the book of the same title:
In a dream like state, through a cloud of haze, I see them all,
As they solemnly march on by, “the long, the short, and the tall."
How young and proud they were, these warriors so true,
Those who gave their lives for the love of the red, white and blue…
How they bravely stormed the gates of hell,
My eyes glaze and tear, as I remember how they fought and fell…
How they suffered and sacrificed, how they harnessed all their fears,
How they faced our enemies, how they surrendered all their years…
These daring young soldiers, the cream of our youth,
How they glared at the gallows, how they scoffed at the noose…
In their hearts, they knew their fight be not in vain,
For the preservation of Old Glory worth the worry and the pain…
I wonder, to eternity they belong, why was it not my time to die?
How proud I am to have known them, to served at their side…
As if they read my thoughts, they slowly glance my way,
Their rifles lower, barrels tilt forward, there is something they want to say…
“Brother, be it heaven or earth, we are forever bound as one,
Though different paths now taken, the difference soon be none…
As you remember us, so we remember you,
We bore the battle together; we saw each other through…
At Trail Arms, for flag and country we march forever true,
Onward, to the front, we lead the way for freedom to be born anew…
Until your final day at twilight, we save a place for you,
When o’er your grave the bugler sounds “Taps”, for only then, it be your cue…
Until then you stay and spread the word, to all our siblings true,
We march forward slowly, waiting for all we loved and knew…
When reunited before our Maker, we all stand so proud and tall,
Know justice, peace and glory be near…
“WHEN YOU HEAR THE BUGLE CALL”
Peter S. Griffin
Company A, 2/502nd Infantry
Distinguished Member of the Regiment (DMOR)
Inductee 502nd Regimental Hall of Fame
101st Airborne Division
Viet Nam, 1965-66
Gold Star Brother
Silver Star Medal recipient
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