My family and I were on a cross country vacation in June of this year. The trip included a visit with my brothers outside Buffalo, New York. It was at this time that a wake for a 21 year old fallen Marine was highly publicized in the Tonawanda News paper. The Marine was from North Tonawanda, New York. As a Marine veteran circa 1960-64, I had the feeling that I had to pay my respects to this Marine. The parking lot was lined with outriders standing at parade rest with American flags held at their positions. The Tonawanda police were there and opened the door to the funeral home as I entered. I paid my respects and said a prayer before the casket. I then turned to the Marine's mother and step father to convey my condolences. I mentioned to them that I was on vacation from Washington state and just had to be here for them. The mom hugged me and thanked me for being there.
A few days later, my brother (former Army) and I were visting the military memorial in Tonawanda and then on to the Marine Corps memorial in North Tonawanda. The purpose was to locate my name on both memorials. As we finished up at the NT memorial and were leaving, two men were coming towards the memorial. I inquired if they were Marine veterans. No, one was an Army veteran and the other said "I know you, your from Washington". He happened to be the step father of the fallen Marine. We had a good discussion and he thanked me profusely for coming to the wake for his step son. He was there to determine where his step son's name plate was to be mounted on the Memorial.
What a great chance of fate.
I enclosed a copy of the Marine Memorial.
Dan Suter
West Richland, Washington