Our brothers who have gone before us beared greatly on the fabric of
the Corps we are privileged to wrap ourselves in as Marines past and
present. It saddens my heart as I read the letters in Sgt. Grit and
learn how those from the greatest generation diminish in numbers with
each passing year. I have been blessed to cross paths with a few of
these Marines and cherish those events.
Over the past few years I have come to meet and share a few moments
with a Cactus Air Force Marine, Billie "BK" Kennedy. With each
encounter I would learn a few more bits and pieces. When I learned
that BK flew F4F Wildcats on Guadalcanal it was just unbelievable. I
would typically see BK at Sunday brunch with his family and as fall
approached I knew those moments could be coming to an end. But as you
can see BK has a few more stories to share what a great spring it
will be.
If anyone served with BK I would love to hear. I always try to do
something for BK at brunch, find old pictures, unit items and so on.
I believe BK was in VMF-223 or 224. Thanks in advance. "To those that
served the taste of freedom is so sweet, the protected will never
know." Semper Fi.
SSgt Rindels EA '79-'91
Capt. ANG (Ret)
P.S. Rank converted pretty good to the Guard, only a slight
reduction.