Sgt Donald Myers - Vietnam War Heroes, Delta 1/5

The morning of May 21, 2006, a friend passed away after a long hard struggle with cancer.

I'm glad that he is finally resting. It was not easy watching what the cancer had done to him over the last couple of years and even harder when he couldn't fight it anymore and it kept him down. I hope some day that I will see him again. He was a great Marine, an honorable husband and to me a good friend.

09 June 06 by bjenning

I am humbled with each mission that I hate having to do and am so proud and grateful to able to participate in. To all that shared in honoring Sgt Myers, it was a priveldge to join you.

Peggy - thanks for your kind words and allowing us to join in the service. God bless.

09 June 06
by pamyers

Yesterday we buried the ashes of my husband, Sgt. Don Myers, USMC, at Tahoma National Cemetery. We buried my father, Cdr. Don Adams, USN two months ago in San Diego with full military honors, so I knew how moving and meaningful the firing of the rifle volleys, playing of Taps, and folding of the flag would be. I thought those honors were the most important tribute Don could receive at that service. I was wrong. As comforting as that ceremony was, nothing will ever compare to the experience of having the PGR show up in force to honor a man none of you ever met. We could hear the roar of your engines before you arrived and the sight of so many bikes lined up was beautiful. It was such an honor to shake your hands and tell you how much Don would have loved to see you all. But the one image I will always carry with me is the sight of each of you standing with an American flag in silent salute to Don's life and service. I really can't tell you how much that meant to me. Thank you again for caring, for taking time out of your busy lives to honor him in that way. Don was such a special person, and I'm so happy you all got to know him just a little bit through the letter Julia read. I saw the smiles and the tears, and I knew that you'd gotten a glimpse of who he really was. I'm sorry we didn't meet under different circumstances. Don would have loved to be a part of the PGR. I know he will be riding with you in spirit you continue your mission.
Peggy Myers

09 June 06
by Seattleritchies

Today, the Patriot Guard had the honor of attending the services for an American Hero. The mission itself went very well, with approximately 35 Patriot Guard (plus a few future members, when they're old enough to drive) and 26 bikes in attendance. Tahoma National Cemetary was ready for us did an excellent job of setting up. Thanks also to the Marines MC, Seattle HOG, and Sound Rider Magazine for showing support. I'm sure there were other groups represented also, and my sincere thanks to you also.

Upon arrival at Tahoma National Cemetary and while staging up, I had to opportunity to meet Peggy Myers. I offered our sympathies and appreciation for allowing us to attend. She insisted upon coming over to our group and thanking each of us in turn. Peggy, that really ment a lot to all of us. Thank you again for your husband's service and allowing us the honor of being present.

We were sent to the site of the service ahead of the Myers family and allowed to set up our flag line in advance. After they arrived and were seated, we were brought in by the VFW honor guard to form a wall of flags around the family. The service was quite moving, most noteable of all was a letter written very recently by Sgt. Myers and read aloud. The letter contained the expectations and hopes of Sgt Myers for the next world, with words about fallen Marines (and other servicemen and women) guarding the walls of Heaven. A few of his comments brought laughter, some of it tears.

I've saved the most important thing of all for last. Sgt. Donald Myers, thank you for your service to our Nation. I do hope your duty is as light in Heaven as you hoped. Rest easy Marine, you've more than earned it.
Seattle

09 June 06
by Dynadog57

My condolences to Peggy and the Myers family for their loss. This will be my first ride with the Patriot Riders Group and in doing so I will be honoring one of my brothers from the Viet Nam War.

Ken Lewis
Bravo Troop
1/9 Cav
67-69
RVN

06/07/2006 10:18 PM Quote Reply Alert
To the family of Sgt Myers, I give my heartfelt condolences, and prayers. I will, unfortunately, be unable to attend, as I will be on the SPC. Loveless mission. Thank you Sgt. Myers, your service is not forgotten, rest well, in the halls of Heaven.
Very Respectfully,
Ox

06/07/2006 10:30 AM Quote Reply Alert
My condolences to the family & Friends Marine Sgt Donald Myers. The Light is Brighter when an Angel is reborn. God Bless You. Rick Talavera of Autin Tx

06/06/2006 11:34 PM Quote Reply Alert
I am sorry but i can't make this mission. God Bless you and yours always Sgt Myers, i am with you in spirit.

scooter137

From Bobbie 05/26/06

At a family get-together several years ago, Don and another
brother-in-law had met for the first time. Their conversation was
interrupted when a well-meaning relative came up and asked, "Did you
two know you were in the same war?" "Yes," Don replied, "We just
exchanged the secret handshake."

--------
After Don came home from the hospital, Peggy was trying to be
encouraging and went a bit too far with how "wonderful" it was that he
was able to eat some ice chips, and he started singing "It's a
beautiful day in the neighborhood."

Heaven... by Donald Myers, April 4, 2005

HEAVEN….
I ain’t religious or anything but I have a simplistic view of Heaven if it exists.
I figure I’ll end up in Heaven. Well, not actually in it but close.
According to the Hymn...”they will find the streets are guarded, by United States Marines.”

That sounds reasonable but the uninitiated probably figure we’ll be patrolling the streets in short sleeve troops and MP armbands.
Don’t think it’s quite that way. We’d get bored sooner or later and start raising hell.
Heaven has a fence around it. Just outside the fence is Marine Corps issue.
St. Peter will check your SRB & 214’s.
You’ll be given a basic issue including the firearm of your choice.
Then you’ll be directed to the right or left flank to a pre-dug fighting hole adjacent to a comfortable solid bunker built solid by the engineers.
It won’t leak or flood during monsoon and will have electricity tapped into the battalion commander’s generator.
There will be a generous supply of rocket and mortar boxes so you can floor it & build your own little cabinets and furniture.
On your way down the line you’ll be able to high five the old salts all the way back to Tunn Tavern until you get to your area.
There, you’ll find every swinging dick you ever served with to show you the ropes.

Pretty easy duty, really. Your weapon will never rust or jam.
There is unlimited ammo and there are never any inspections or chicken shit.
Chow and water will always be in time, plentiful, and you have first choice in every case of C-rats.
Care packages from home will be plentiful for those added touches.
All in all it will be pretty easy duty.
Water will be pure and cold; no need for halizone tabs.
Beer ration of two cans per man per day but it will be cold. And none of that off-brand shit like Carlings Black Label or Schlitz.
Smoking lamp is always lit.
Patrols are optional and you can straggle at your own pace.
It’s mostly for exercise and sight seeing.

There is no war. You are there as a deterrent force for something that is not allowed so mostly we can sit back and relax.
For convenience there are plenty of 4-holers but God contracted out so there’s somebody else to burn the shit and the wind always blows away from you.
No mosquitoes, leeches, or biting ants.
The other branches of the other services are stationed nearby so we can easily requisition any little thing Headquarters Marine Corps forgot to get us or couldn’t get because of budget.
Got it all taped out except for liberty, R&R and what happens when your wife arrives.
Maybe at that point you get BAG allowance and get to move into base housing inside the fence.
Like I say, I have brothers there to help me get up to speed.
Don Myers, April 4, 2005

Tell me about the time you found out you're going to Vietnam up to the time you left for Vietnam.

When did I know I was going? Never did. I think I was there before I
realized it existed. I joined on 26 November '63 in Dallas after being
witness to the JFK thing. (no, I didn't do it) Ironically, I thought I was
going to go kick some serious ass in Cuba. I was 17, had run away from home
two years earlier and not doing much at the time.

Tell me about you today, and how Vietnam has influenced what you do and how you live today..

How do I live today? a lot better than I have any right to. Will probably
never get over feelings of guilt. I have a wonderful wife, Peggy, two good
dogs and a questionable cat. Never joined the American Legion or the VFW.
Don't join clubs. I'm untrusting as hell. The check isn't in the mail, the
government agent is not here to help you, and that chopper that was supposed
to bring in the supplies might not get here. You can trust the guy on your
left and right flank but best to not learn their names or get up close and
personal.

Give me a 1 or 2 liner about anything you want to say.

I have learned a thing or two. I spit into the trees when I came back. It's
taken all these years to find out it just might be OK to finally come home.
Good thing because I was on the verge, a few years back, to take one of
those tours to Vietnam to sort of do that "find myself and put it to rest"
deal. Backed out when I couldn't find one single commercial carrier flying
B-52s.

If any of you have stories you would like to share about Don, please email them to me.

Donald Myers
Rank:	Sgt	MOS:	311 Rifleman & 331 Machine Gunner
Year(s) in Nam:	64/66/68 3 Tours	Unit:	Hotel 2/9, Delta 1/5, Hotel 2/27
:		Status:	Died May 21, 2006
Service Awards
Purple heart w/ 1 gold star in lieu of 2nd award Navy Achievement medal with combat V device Good Conduct medal with 1 * National Defense medal Armed Forces Expeditionary medal Vietnam Service medal with 4 * Presidential Unit Citation ribbon Combat Action Ribbon Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal with 1960 device Rifle Sharpshooter badge