Raymond D. Hill Obituary

To the family and friends of Capt. Raymond D. Hill:
Please accept my remembrance of Raymond on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

To the family and friends of Capt. Raymond D. Hill:
Remembering Raymond on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

I was your platoon medic with A CO 1/184 INF(AASLT) on our fist deployment to the Gulf. You were our platoon leader and a Lieutenant, then. The Twin Towers were still smoking, then. Besides being the medic, one of my other jobs at times was to be your co-driver/body guard when you would drive somewhere, and I really enjoyed our conversations. I remember how enthused you were when talking to me about learning how to read Arabic characters, numerals and words, or improving working conditions for your men. But then, you were always so enthused about everything, man! Everything! "Hey, Doc! Did you know...", "Hey, Doc! Do you think...", "Hey, Doc! Do you like...", like a big, kind, goofy, happy kid. I'm still laughing about some of our trips across the desert.

After the 184th started taking casualties, I tried to join you guys, but I was already on another deployment with another unit, by then. My request to get reassigned to the 184th was denied by my unit, so I couldn't get released, partly because of my experience with the 184th and my civilian experience in emergency prehospital care. At least I was promoted to sergeant. Although my mission was also important, I was so angry! So I used your deaths as a motivator when training up my young medics and combat lifesavers in medical and tactical skills, knowing that, in spite of all that I and my colleagues could teach these soldiers, some of my students were probably not coming home, again. All I could do was train up "my kids" with all that I could give to help them do a good job and minimize the losses. A form of "Preventative Medicine", I guess. My methods as an instructor have been described as passionate and enthusiastic. Hmmm..., I wonder why! Hey, Ray! Did you know that? I just thought that you and your family should know. I really wish that you weren't dead, you big Goofus. Thanks, man.


"Doc Elmo"

I went to the cemetary today, it still hurts. Love the Mustang on the headstone. Looked back at some old Camp Sylvester 4-H pictures, we were all such good friends!! I miss not being able to share 4-H with you at the fair. I miss that we grew apart, busy with family and jobs. Veterans Day is coming, you know I'll talk about you with my students. I still have your Senior picture and the one of us at the dance together. It still hurts.

Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.


The Wind on The Downs

“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”

(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )

Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….

“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”


I did not know Raymond, but I am remembering
his service and sacrifice. He is my hero. !

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Other Side

i'm over on the other side
where life and death softly divide.
left my skin and bones behind
now i'm over on the other side.

can you feel me there with you?
my breath is gone but i'm not through.
loved you then and i still do
from over on the other side.

i can fly. really fly.
below the earth ... all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

it's good here on the other side.
the sweetest songs...the bluest skies.
thank you for the tears you cried
but it's good here on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth...all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side

the world is smaller than a needle's eye.
where life and death softly divide.
when you leave your skin and bones behind
i'll be waiting on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth ... all through the sky.
go tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

Song lyrics by Don Conoscenti
C Desert Muse/SESAC
www.donconoscenti.com
(Used with permission)

“I hope it brings great comfort to any and all.
Peace on you. DonCon” 4-2008


The Other Side –
(To hear the song)
http://tinyurl.com/3o8gol



Sincerely,

Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom SSgt Vince – Lackland AFB
Proud Air Force MIL SrA Dana – Randolph AFB

Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55

Angel and soldier drawing I have shared here.
http://tinyurl.com/6gey8b

To the family of Capt. Raymond D. Hill:
Raymond gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Raymond,
It has been nearly 3 years, but it seems like yesterday that it stopped. People are lucky to have known you and through the people that you guided and commanded as their captain, I too have become close to them. I still think of you daily, and not a day goes by that I don't wish I could share some of the joys and trouble I have with you.

There is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain or bring you peace in your time of sorrow, but I will offer you and your family my heart felt condolences. I also offer you my prayers that in time the pain will easy and the memories of your HERO will carry you through each day and night. I want to thank your HERO, for his/her selfless act of becoming a member of the armed forces, his/her willingness to defend the United States of America, all that we hold sacred and for the sacrifice that will forever be etched in the memories of all those who knew him/her. Though tears can never bring him/her back, we hope that our tears express our gratitude for the sacrifice that he/she made and our sorrow at his/her passing. I believe for every fallen HERO there is a star shining brightly up above to remind us of the precious gift we were given.

Your mission on earth is complete and you are now a member of GOD’s Heavenly armed forces. Stand down brave warrior and take your rightful place in Heaven with all the HEROES who have passed before.

I made a special promise to LE RON A. WILSON, a dear family friend who joined the Army with three other friends, one of whom is my son (Le Ron was killed in action on 07/06/07 at the age of 18) on the day he was laid to rest as I touched his coffin, that I would never forget him nor would I forget those that gave their lives for our country before him, with him and after him and so when I came across www.legacy.com, I thought what a great way to keep my promise to Le Ron, so I will continue to leave tributes in each guest book until the day there is no longer the need to leave these tributes to a FALLEN HERO.

REST IN PEACE, HERO, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!

PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Currently stationed in Germany
Althea Barrett(Queens, NY)

Remembering Capt. Raymond D. Hill, on this first anniversary of the day he gave his life for our country, with a Multitude of
Thanks for his Courage, Service and Dedication to our Country and for Freedom.
May Raymond rest in God's Loving Care and know that he will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
May God's Grace and Comfort, continue to be with the Hill family.
From the sister of a Fallen young hero, who made the Ultimate Sacrifice in Vietnam. KIA~1967.

"And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes,
there shall be no more death,
nor sorrow, nor crying,
there shall be no more pain.
For the former things have have passed away."
Revelations 21:4

May your memories of Raymond, live in your heart always.
I am deeply sorry for your loss.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. I HAVE JUST LEARNED OF YOUR GREAT LOSS AND WISH TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES. PLEASE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO DO CARE AND YOUR HERO WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR TREASURED MEMORIES THAT HIS SPECIAL SMILE MAY CONTINUE TO SHINE ON. I PRAY THAT PEACE WILL FIND YOU ALL. STAY STRONG AND GODSPEED. SEMPER FI



A PROUD MARINE MOM

My heartfelt sympathy to the Hill family in the loss of Raymond. I did not know Raymond, but my heart is broken and I am sadden for your loss of such a fine young man and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers.

I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.

Love and Peace

Tom



To live in the hearts

of those you leave behind

is never to die"

~Robert Orr~

I went to school and graduated with Ray in 1985. I was then able to keep in touch with him on a business level through the years. I attended the funeral services today realizing that I was not the only one affected by Ray’s knack for small talk, and infectious smile. Ray was a joy to work with. One of those people you looked forward to seeing when you went into his work place. I can’t say that I was one of his closest friends, but I think anyone who ever met Ray considered him to be a friend. It was just the way he was. I will always be honored to call Ray Hill my friend. Ray, you will be missed. Not only by your friend’s but your country as well. My prayers also go out to the family. Thank you as well for making the ultimate sacrifice to our country.

My heart goes out to all of you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Ray was very much loved and respected by his family. I may be only a cousin but he will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

My husband is in the 184th out of Medesto. My family is thinking of you and yours. I wish there was something more than sorry to say, it doesn't seem like enough. God Bless