Seamus wrote very early this morning to let us know that SgtMaj Rockwell has passed away. I know a lot of us prayed as hard as we could for the SgtMaj, but the Lord has greater plans for him.

The arrangements are still in the works, but rest assured I will pass along any details Seamus sends. The email he sent this morning is in the extended section.

Fair winds and following seas, Sergeant Major. OOHRAH!

All Hands:

My best friend died this morning. He died peacefully, in his sleep, and he does not hurt anymore.

The Sergeant Major and I have made so many friends, together, since Billy Wilson’s Blues, in 1989, that this is the only way I can think of to let you all know of his death. I know I will speak to all of you soon, but for now, let the All Hands be the medium.

Yesterday, Bill Molitor, the Commanding Officer of the Col Wesley Fox Young Marine Detachment, asked me for a quick description of the Sergeant Major for an article in the National Young Marine magazine. This is what I wrote, yesterday.

Sergeant Major Rockwell was panther quick and leather tough. He is like the “country boy can survive” in the song. He could shoot better that anyone I ever knew. He is a God fearing man who kept his religion to himself, unless you wanted to talk about God. He would jump to help anyone who needed any kind of help, and he was able to do most things. He loves kids and this is easy to see when kids are around him. He does not laugh much, and he does not cry much, but when he does either, you have no doubt as to the reason. He has an eighth grade education, but he fought in Korea and did three tours in Vietnam. He went to the University of the United States Marine Corps. He is truly an educated man by the school of hard knocks. The Marine Corps does not easily make a man Sergeant Major, and he made it in 20 years in the Corps. He is politically adept and well versed in the machinations of our government, and is never hesitant to express his views of any political topic. Like most hunters, he has a true love for all animals, and his feelings for his dogs were true and sincere. He is respectful of higher authority, but has never held back any questions about decisions made by higher authority. The Sergeant Major is my best friend.

I need to add this today. The Sergeant Major’s love for his family and his many friends was never readily apparent, because he was never very open in his thoughts and feelings about such things, but all who knew him had no doubts about this love.

Seamus

I also sent this to the Sergeant Major’s wife Mary, yesterday. The following is what Mary wrote back to me, yesterday.

SEAMUS: WELL PUT. HE WAS ALL THAT AND MORE. HE NOT ONLY COULD OUTSHOOT BUT OUTCOOK ANYONE. HE MADE THE BEST POTATO SALAD AND VENISON VEGETABLE SOUP EVER. HE ALSO MADE HIS OWN SAUSAGE AND VENISON JERKY. THERE WASN’T A MACHINE THAT HE COULDN’T FIX OR A MOTOR HE COULDN’T REPAIR. HE KEPT THE BEST GARDEN ON THE MOUNTAIN AND WAS HAPPIEST WORKING IN IT BECAUSE HE SAID HE WAS CLOSE TO GOD THERE. HE HAS GIVEN ADVICE AND COUNSEL TO A MULTITUDE OF MARINES RESULTING IN THEIR ACHIEVEMENT OF HIGHER RANKS. HE HAD THE MEMORY OF AN ELEPHANT AND EVERYTHING HE DID WAS DONE IN EXCELLENCE. HE WAS SELECTED OUT OF THE ENTIRE MARINE CORPS TO FILL A BILLET AT CAMP DAVID WHICH IS QUITE AN HONOR IN ITSELF. RUSTY WAS TRULY THE BEST OF THE BEST OF THE MARINE CORPS.

So now this good man is up there with Col Truman Crawford, SgtMaj Denis McNamara, L/Cpl Chance Phelps, L/Cpl Steve Szwydek, and all the Marines who have gone before us, making sure the Streets are well guarded.

The Sergeant Major is easy now, but we will miss him.

Semper Fi, My Friend,

Seamus