Tribute to an old friend

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend those few years back. That is a well written tribute- those are harder to come by than one might think.

I don't think that movie was on the approved list at my house. Kind of violent for little kids.

Thanks, Stik.

Well written and moving.  Condolences on the loss of your friend and daughter's Godfather.

Rest assured, you will meet him again.

My condolences Stik, the loss of someone close is hard, all of us brothers in arms and family will meet again.

GM, Gold, Armor, thanks for looking in and sharing your thoughts. It has been nearly three years since my friend passed, but reading his brothers words brought back many good memories, while also putting a lump in my throat and a pang of loss in my heart. So often we see tributes like this to famous people we never knew. What was so eloquently written here barely scratched the surface of a good man that I did know.

Carlos,

I am very sorry for your loss of a brother, and good friend. As I read the tribute his brother wrote I like you gained a lump in my throat and a sadness on my heart. His tribute was a well written highlight of what type of man he was. I have 4 Army brothers that I have stayed in close contact with since my service, and I know it would be hard for me if something like this happened. Again, I am very sorry for your loss. And I hope you continue to reflect on your memories of the time you spent together and it brings a smile to your face and joy to your heart.

Wow, Stik, that is a great tribute. Very well-written. The military is a family that is closer than actual family in many instances.....

I noticed that his marker shows two enlisted ranks - SGT US Army PG, and MSGT US Army. Not familiar with that, nor the "PG". What can you teach me about this?

Ya know, I have no idea what the PG on the marker is for. That is over at Riverside National Cemetary near March AFB. I was wondering the same thing when I saw that on there.  

Stik,

Not to sound stupid LOL....but doesn't "PG" mean Platoon Guide? I know from basic that is what it stood for.

Looks to me like he served two different stints in the Army, seeing as how there are two different rank listings on his marker. Still unusual, though. I've been to a lot of National cemeteries, and can't recall ever seeing someone's marker with two ranks from the same branch of service. Seen them with multiple ranks from different branches of the military, like if someone served Navy, then Army. 

Hunter, I do remember the Platoon Guide from once upon a time at Bennington. But seriously, for it to be on a mans gravestone, for that reason, especially one who had done so much, is almost insulting.

Dawg, he did do his time in the Regular Army, then afterwards most of his career was Guard, so properly it would say USA and USARNG to differentiate between the two. 

stikpusher

Hunter, I do remember the Platoon Guide from once upon a time at Bennington. But seriously, for it to be on a mans gravestone, for that reason, especially one who had done so much, is almost insulting.

Carlos,

By no means was I trying to be insulting nor disrespectful to your friend or his service. I was just threwing in a guess to DevilDogs question about the "PG" on his head stone. I sure hope you didn't take it that way.

Stik, was he in the Persian Gulf during his service in the Regular Army? I've done a little bit of research, and, based on what little I can find, the "PG" might indicate that he was in the 1st Persian Gulf War during his Regular stint. Take a look here:

https://www.cem.va.gov/hmm/abbreviations.asp

Hunter, I did not mean to come across on that point as I apparently did. I know we are just speculating at this point as to the meaning of PG. Kenny was a big joker, so I could see him having something smart assed on there like DRO (remember that from KP?). But I don't think his family would put that there.

Dawg, no, during the first Gulf War, we were both in 19th Group stateside. We were alerted for possible deployment, but never went anywhere. We were pretty tight back then. But he did go to Iraq and Afghanistan both after 9/11.

See if you can find PG here

https://www.cem.va.gov/hmm/abbreviations.asp

I couldn't but the take away is that there are a lot of abbreviations.

I called the San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio.

The gentleman I spoke with was puzzled too, so he looked it up.

Under the name, the next line is (rank) (branch of service) (war period).

The most recent war periods, in order, are World War 1, World War 2, Korea, Vietnam and Persian Gulf.

He said that it's most likely that PG was abbrev. for Persian Gulf. He was only puzzled initially because he said that at their cemetery it's usually spelled out.

So it's not where you served, but when you served.

This seems to confirm what Gary suggested.

And again, thank you and Kenny for your service.

stikpusher

Hunter, I did not mean to come across on that point as I apparently did. I know we are just speculating at this point as to the meaning of PG. Kenny was a big joker, so I could see him having something smart assed on there like DRO (remember that from KP?). But I don't think his family would put that there.

Dawg, no, during the first Gulf War, we were both in 19th Group stateside. We were alerted for possible deployment, but never went anywhere. We were pretty tight back then. But he did go to Iraq and Afghanistan both after 9/11.

 

Glad to hear that...and yes, DRO. Good Ol' Dining Room Orderly lol. Had that detail a couple of times because of a couple of individuals that couldn't follow proper instructions so we all paid the piper. I'm sure you had those individuals in your time. 

I just raised a toast to a fellow Brother in Arms.