William J. Martines Jr.

Why We Gather



I now know why men who have been to war yearn to reunite. Not to tell stories or look at old pictures. Not to laugh or weep. Comrades gather because they long to be with the men who once acted their best, men who suffered and sacrificed, who were stripped raw, right down to their humanity. I did not pick these men. They were delivered by fate and the U.S. Marine Corps. But I know them in a way I know no other men. I have never given anyone such trust....

My very deepest sympathy to Mr and Mrs Martines, Marilyn, Tina and Johnny.
I am so sorry to learn of Billy's passing. I have so many wonderful memories of Billy starting when he pulled up in his blue corvett to pick Marilyn up from college. He was the first person I ever heard that just got home from a place called Viet Nam. May his soul rest in peace forever and ever. I love you all so much.

Billy is my friend, we have been since about 1951. We have done lots of fun things, some a bit on the border line of good taste. Billy has had troubles, but he is still my friend, although I have not seen him in too many years, I will miss him.

Mr & Mrs Martines, you mean a lot to me frankly I think of you frequently, the big house on Great Road, your comments about Gram's baked Beans, your help while I was in college, just everything about you has flooded my mind, my arms are...