Update on the 30th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Carl E Mundy, Jr ALCON, It’s moving into an uneventful Saturday night here in Annapolis. Been raining since last night and Ashtyn’s soccer game was cancelled this afternoon. So we lost out on a training highlight for sure. However, yesterday’s training highlight was superb as I attended a Center House Association luncheon, talked shop with my teammate and fellow Clydesdale Greg Hauck (MarCorpSysCom) and just enjoyed being back around Marines. The Barracks also celebrated its Birthday and the former “Sousa Band Hall” was designated and renamed “Crawford Hall” in honor of Col Truman Crawford our longtime director of the Presidents Own, The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps . A grand day all around. Unfortunately, the news, from those closer to Gen Mundy, our 30th Commandant, was that he is now in the hospital and the outlook does not look promising. And this is, to me, very very sad. I received the below at the end of February as a passed down message from the Commandant. “ I was diagnosed in June with Merkel Cell Carcinoma,a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer that can metastasize rapidly into other key parts of the body. After excise of the original cancer, I was treated with 7 weeks of radiation. On February 4th, the results of that treatment revealed that the radiation was less effective and the cancer had spread extensively throughout my body. Needless to say, the extent to which it spread affected my overall well-being. The aggressiveness and speed of the metastasis was a bolt out of the blue. Carl “ And so…that is all I know. When I find out more I will of course pass to all of you. General Mundy was “MY” Commandant…the one I had the privilege of knowing well when I served at the Barracks. The consummate gentleman and professional. And he was a great Marine. Still is. One day, perhaps my friend Colonel Terry Lockard, USMC (ret) and Parade Commander at the Oldest Post will tell the story of how the Commandant ushered him to the reviewing officers position (CMCs) so Terry could take the “Pass in Review” in his last Evening Parade at the Barracks. Or Colonel Sollis might relate the story of when he briefed the Commandant who made the cut to be Parade Commander the following season…and Gen Mundy’s comments. And I may even repost my NJP of the Mundy’s Senior Enlisted Aide, when the 30th Commandant and his Lady attended the festivities. I have attached a picture of the Mundy’s with Gen Joe Dunford, at Iwo on 10 Nov 2011 for the wreath laying. It is a tough time. I guess it goes with the territory and is part of growing old. But it remains just not right. Our heroes, like our children, should always to outlive us. You know Ashtyn is now 14 and we battle a lot. But she is a good girl. She is here tonight and still asks for me to go up to bed and tuck her in. And we still always say our prayers. And so tonight for those Marines that are forward deployed and especially for General Mundy, I would ask you all to hit your knees and ask that he be kept free from pain and secure in the love that his family and friends and his Corps of Marines holds for him still. And yes, tonight and every night, Ash and I still end our prayers with “Dear God, take care of all of Daddy’s Marines. Thank you God”, You may too if you like. Good night my friends. Semper Fi, Dave
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 00:26:25 +0000
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