Farewell Cousin Bill

August 22, 2015 

 

Bill, USAF

Some memories get burned into our brains with great clarity.  Though I’m not sure why it has stayed with me so vividly, I have one such memory in which Cousin Bill is the main character.  I was looking out the window of my parent’s house on The Farm when Cousin Bill, dressed in his full US Air Force uniform, approached my mother and they gave each other a warm embrace.  It didn’t strike me at the time, but I’m guessing that was the first time my mother had seen Cousin Bill since he had gone off to serve in the Vietnam War.  The impressive sight of Cousin Bill in that magnificent uniform is likely one of the earliest and strongest influences leading to my eventual service with the US Navy.  Wartime service is something that will bond the two of us together forever, he in the Vietnam War and me in the Gulf War of 1991.  Thank you Cousin Bill for everything you have done for all of us in the family and for the greater Mechanicville-Stillwater Community!

One last salute to Cousin Bill,

Cousin Marty