It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of an OPP icon from the recent past...PoppaGringo. I was notified by his daughter when she returned my call over concerns for him.
'Salty,' as I always addressed him, was as fine a gentleman as I have ever encountered. Though we differed in much (yet, not all) of our political leanings, we respected each other in countless ways. There is no doubt that much of that respect was due to our similar backgrounds in service to this great nation of ours. Salty, just as it is with BadBobby, will always be a hero of mine. Nothing could change that.
Salty served in Korea and I in Viet Nam...both as Marines. Having met on several occasions, we often shared our common experiences of having served in combat. However, he endured at least one hardship that I and others had the good fortune of avoiding: He was a survivor of being a POW for almost two years during the Korean conflict. That time served as a POW had a profound and lasting effect upon him to no small degree, and was accompanied by the pain of losing two sons to unsolved murders, plus a granddaughter to illness.
I honored and loved the man as one would a familial elder. Just as I called him 'Salty' as a term of endearment, in the same manner, he referred to me as 'Boot.' When I attended a Khe Sanh reunion in San Diego a few years ago, I took him with me to meet some fellow combatants from that infamous battle and war. He regaled them...although initially reluctantly...with 'sea stories' as only a Marine Vet of his experience and status could have. They all were so impressed with him, we decided to include him as an honorary member of our 'Nam unit.
Though I had feared this for a while, due to his obvious failing health, I type with silent tears rolling down my face. I had called him regularly and become somewhat alarmed when he did not answer the phone. I soon found it had been disconnected. That was attributed, in my mind, to the fact that he had recently moved from San Diego to Orlando, Florida to be with his eldest daughter, Rin, and her family.
I would ask that all who knew Salty from his past contributions on this forum...and those who may not, to honor him and his surviving Family & friends with thoughts, wishes and prayers for both theirs & our loss.
Micheal Yawn, aka 'OldGringo,' 'PoppaGringo,' and 'Salty' would have been 86 years old on January 1st. Again, goodbye ol' friend, may you Rest In Peace. As you epitomized a true proud & patriotic American, you will be sorely missed by all...
Forever, ol' friend, your Junior NCO...
'Boot'
slatten49 wrote:
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of an OPP icon from the recent past...PoppaGringo. I was notified by his daughter when she returned my call over concerns for him.
'Salty,' as I always addressed him, was as fine a gentleman as I have ever encountered. Though we differed in much (yet, not all) of our political leanings, we respected each other in countless ways. There is no doubt that much of that respect was due to our similar backgrounds in service to this great nation of ours. Salty, just as it is with BadBobby, will always be a hero of mine. Nothing could change that.
Salty served in Korea and I in Viet Nam...both as Marines. Having met on several occasions, we often shared our common experiences of having served in combat. However, he endured at least one hardship that I and others had the fortune of avoiding: He was a survivor of being a POW for almost two years during the Korean conflict. That time served as a POW, had a profound and lasting effect upon him to no small degree, and was accompanied by the pain of losing two sons to unsolved murders, plus a granddaughter to illness.
I honored and loved the man as one would a familial elder. Just as I called him 'Salty' as a term of endearment, in the same manner, he referred to me as 'Boot.' When I attended my Khe Sanh reunion in San Diego a few years ago, I took him with me to meet some of my fellow combatants from that infamous battle and war. He regaled them...although initially reluctantly...with 'sea stories,' as only a Marine Vet of his experience and status could have. They all were so impressed with him, we decided to include him as an honorary member of our 'Nam unit.
Though I had feared this for a while, due to his obvious failing health, I type this with silent tears rolling down my face. I had called him regularly and become alarmed when he not answer the phone, as I soon found it had been disconnected. That was attributed, in my mind, to the fact that he had recently moved from San Diego to Orlando, Florida to be with his eldest daughter, Rin, and her family.
I would ask that all who knew Salty from his past contributions on this forum...and those who may not, honor him and his surviving Family & friends with thoughts, wishes and prayers for both theirs & our loss.
Micheal Yawn, aka 'OldGringo,' 'PoppaGringo,' and 'Salty' would have been 86 years old on January 1st. Again, goodbye ol' friend. May you Rest In Peace. As you epitomized a true proud & patriotic American, you will be sorely missed...
Forever, ol' friend, your Junior NCO...
'Boot'
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passi... (
show quote)
Amen and Amen and an excellent obituary that you have written here. Thank you Slatten49 for this posting and I will miss him as well as the discussions and the going back and forth between you Salty and badbobby were all fun to read and laugh at. Although some of them were in dead seriousness he will greatly missed. Again thanks for posting this.
slatten49 wrote:
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of an OPP icon from the recent past...PoppaGringo. I was notified by his daughter when she returned my call over concerns for him.
'Salty,' as I always addressed him, was as fine a gentleman as I have ever encountered. Though we differed in much (yet, not all) of our political leanings, we respected each other in countless ways. There is no doubt that much of that respect was due to our similar backgrounds in service to this great nation of ours. Salty, just as it is with BadBobby, will always be a hero of mine. Nothing could change that.
Salty served in Korea and I in Viet Nam...both as Marines. Having met on several occasions, we often shared our common experiences of having served in combat. However, he endured at least one hardship that I and others had the fortune of avoiding: He was a survivor of being a POW for almost two years during the Korean conflict. That time served as a POW, had a profound and lasting effect upon him to no small degree, and was accompanied by the pain of losing two sons to unsolved murders, plus a granddaughter to illness.
I honored and loved the man as one would a familial elder. Just as I called him 'Salty' as a term of endearment, in the same manner, he referred to me as 'Boot.' When I attended my Khe Sanh reunion in San Diego a few years ago, I took him with me to meet some of my fellow combatants from that infamous battle and war. He regaled them...although initially reluctantly...with 'sea stories,' as only a Marine Vet of his experience and status could have. They all were so impressed with him, we decided to include him as an honorary member of our 'Nam unit.
Though I had feared this for a while, due to his obvious failing health, I type this with silent tears rolling down my face. I had called him regularly and become alarmed when he not answer the phone, as I soon found it had been disconnected. That was attributed, in my mind, to the fact that he had recently moved from San Diego to Orlando, Florida to be with his eldest daughter, Rin, and her family.
I would ask that all who knew Salty from his past contributions on this forum...and those who may not, honor him and his surviving Family & friends with thoughts, wishes and prayers for both theirs & our loss.
Micheal Yawn, aka 'OldGringo,' 'PoppaGringo,' and 'Salty' would have been 86 years old on January 1st. Again, goodbye ol' friend. May you Rest In Peace. As you epitomized a true proud & patriotic American, you will be sorely missed...
Forever, ol' friend, your Junior NCO...
'Boot'
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passi... (
show quote)
my heart felt condolences Slat I didn't know Salty but may he rest in peace, when America looses a Hero like that it is just a little bit weaker all the way around.
slatten49 wrote:
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of an OPP icon from the recent past...PoppaGringo. I was notified by his daughter when she returned my call over concerns for him.
'Salty,' as I always addressed him, was as fine a gentleman as I have ever encountered. Though we differed in much (yet, not all) of our political leanings, we respected each other in countless ways. There is no doubt that much of that respect was due to our similar backgrounds in service to this great nation of ours. Salty, just as it is with BadBobby, will always be a hero of mine. Nothing could change that.
Salty served in Korea and I in Viet Nam...both as Marines. Having met on several occasions, we often shared our common experiences of having served in combat. However, he endured at least one hardship that I and others had the good fortune of avoiding: He was a survivor of being a POW for almost two years during the Korean conflict. That time served as a POW had a profound and lasting effect upon him to no small degree, and was accompanied by the pain of losing two sons to unsolved murders, plus a granddaughter to illness.
I honored and loved the man as one would a familial elder. Just as I called him 'Salty' as a term of endearment, in the same manner, he referred to me as 'Boot.' When I attended a Khe Sanh reunion in San Diego a few years ago, I took him with me to meet some fellow combatants from that infamous battle and war. He regaled them...although initially reluctantly...with 'sea stories' as only a Marine Vet of his experience and status could have. They all were so impressed with him, we decided to include him as an honorary member of our 'Nam unit.
Though I had feared this for a while, due to his obvious failing health, I type with silent tears rolling down my face. I had called him regularly and become somewhat alarmed when he did not answer the phone. I soon found it had been disconnected. That was attributed, in my mind, to the fact that he had recently moved from San Diego to Orlando, Florida to be with his eldest daughter, Rin, and her family.
I would ask that all who knew Salty from his past contributions on this forum...and those who may not, to honor him and his surviving Family & friends with thoughts, wishes and prayers for both theirs & our loss.
Micheal Yawn, aka 'OldGringo,' 'PoppaGringo,' and 'Salty' would have been 86 years old on January 1st. Again, goodbye ol' friend, may you Rest In Peace. As you epitomized a true proud & patriotic American, you will be sorely missed by all...
Forever, ol' friend, your Junior NCO...
'Boot'
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passi... (
show quote)
Your loving tribute brings tears of sadness to my eyes for our loss. Rest in peace Marine. Semper Fi. May your family endure their grief and revere your memory.
slatten49 wrote:
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of an OPP icon from the recent past...PoppaGringo. I was notified by his daughter when she returned my call over concerns for him.
'Salty,' as I always addressed him, was as fine a gentleman as I have ever encountered. Though we differed in much (yet, not all) of our political leanings, we respected each other in countless ways. There is no doubt that much of that respect was due to our similar backgrounds in service to this great nation of ours. Salty, just as it is with BadBobby, will always be a hero of mine. Nothing could change that.
Salty served in Korea and I in Viet Nam...both as Marines. Having met on several occasions, we often shared our common experiences of having served in combat. However, he endured at least one hardship that I and others had the good fortune of avoiding: He was a survivor of being a POW for almost two years during the Korean conflict. That time served as a POW had a profound and lasting effect upon him to no small degree, and was accompanied by the pain of losing two sons to unsolved murders, plus a granddaughter to illness.
I honored and loved the man as one would a familial elder. Just as I called him 'Salty' as a term of endearment, in the same manner, he referred to me as 'Boot.' When I attended a Khe Sanh reunion in San Diego a few years ago, I took him with me to meet some fellow combatants from that infamous battle and war. He regaled them...although initially reluctantly...with 'sea stories' as only a Marine Vet of his experience and status could have. They all were so impressed with him, we decided to include him as an honorary member of our 'Nam unit.
Though I had feared this for a while, due to his obvious failing health, I type with silent tears rolling down my face. I had called him regularly and become somewhat alarmed when he did not answer the phone. I soon found it had been disconnected. That was attributed, in my mind, to the fact that he had recently moved from San Diego to Orlando, Florida to be with his eldest daughter, Rin, and her family.
I would ask that all who knew Salty from his past contributions on this forum...and those who may not, to honor him and his surviving Family & friends with thoughts, wishes and prayers for both theirs & our loss.
Micheal Yawn, aka 'OldGringo,' 'PoppaGringo,' and 'Salty' would have been 86 years old on January 1st. Again, goodbye ol' friend, may you Rest In Peace. As you epitomized a true proud & patriotic American, you will be sorely missed by all...
Forever, ol' friend, your Junior NCO...
'Boot'
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passi... (
show quote)
Thanks slatten for letting us know had wondered if he was ok. He would be off for a while then come on for day or 2.I'm am truly saddened at his passing but glad he had a true and dev**ed friend in you.
slatten49 wrote:
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of an OPP icon from the recent past...PoppaGringo. I was notified by his daughter when she returned my call over concerns for him.
'Salty,' as I always addressed him, was as fine a gentleman as I have ever encountered. Though we differed in much (yet, not all) of our political leanings, we respected each other in countless ways. There is no doubt that much of that respect was due to our similar backgrounds in service to this great nation of ours. Salty, just as it is with BadBobby, will always be a hero of mine. Nothing could change that.
Salty served in Korea and I in Viet Nam...both as Marines. Having met on several occasions, we often shared our common experiences of having served in combat. However, he endured at least one hardship that I and others had the good fortune of avoiding: He was a survivor of being a POW for almost two years during the Korean conflict. That time served as a POW had a profound and lasting effect upon him to no small degree, and was accompanied by the pain of losing two sons to unsolved murders, plus a granddaughter to illness.
I honored and loved the man as one would a familial elder. Just as I called him 'Salty' as a term of endearment, in the same manner, he referred to me as 'Boot.' When I attended a Khe Sanh reunion in San Diego a few years ago, I took him with me to meet some fellow combatants from that infamous battle and war. He regaled them...although initially reluctantly...with 'sea stories' as only a Marine Vet of his experience and status could have. They all were so impressed with him, we decided to include him as an honorary member of our 'Nam unit.
Though I had feared this for a while, due to his obvious failing health, I type with silent tears rolling down my face. I had called him regularly and become somewhat alarmed when he did not answer the phone. I soon found it had been disconnected. That was attributed, in my mind, to the fact that he had recently moved from San Diego to Orlando, Florida to be with his eldest daughter, Rin, and her family.
I would ask that all who knew Salty from his past contributions on this forum...and those who may not, to honor him and his surviving Family & friends with thoughts, wishes and prayers for both theirs & our loss.
Micheal Yawn, aka 'OldGringo,' 'PoppaGringo,' and 'Salty' would have been 86 years old on January 1st. Again, goodbye ol' friend, may you Rest In Peace. As you epitomized a true proud & patriotic American, you will be sorely missed by all...
Forever, ol' friend, your Junior NCO...
'Boot'
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passi... (
show quote)
Thank you for posting this eulogy. I am sorry for the loss of such a steadfast friend and companion but I hope you can take comfort in the many friendships you've formed here. I can only offer my prayers on everyone's behalf, that the Father of all comforts will heal the void left in so many lives. By His inesteemable Grace, Iliamna
slatten49 wrote:
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of an OPP icon from the recent past...PoppaGringo. I was notified by his daughter when she returned my call over concerns for him.
'Salty,' as I always addressed him, was as fine a gentleman as I have ever encountered. Though we differed in much (yet, not all) of our political leanings, we respected each other in countless ways. There is no doubt that much of that respect was due to our similar backgrounds in service to this great nation of ours. Salty, just as it is with BadBobby, will always be a hero of mine. Nothing could change that.
Salty served in Korea and I in Viet Nam...both as Marines. Having met on several occasions, we often shared our common experiences of having served in combat. However, he endured at least one hardship that I and others had the good fortune of avoiding: He was a survivor of being a POW for almost two years during the Korean conflict. That time served as a POW had a profound and lasting effect upon him to no small degree, and was accompanied by the pain of losing two sons to unsolved murders, plus a granddaughter to illness.
I honored and loved the man as one would a familial elder. Just as I called him 'Salty' as a term of endearment, in the same manner, he referred to me as 'Boot.' When I attended a Khe Sanh reunion in San Diego a few years ago, I took him with me to meet some fellow combatants from that infamous battle and war. He regaled them...although initially reluctantly...with 'sea stories' as only a Marine Vet of his experience and status could have. They all were so impressed with him, we decided to include him as an honorary member of our 'Nam unit.
Though I had feared this for a while, due to his obvious failing health, I type with silent tears rolling down my face. I had called him regularly and become somewhat alarmed when he did not answer the phone. I soon found it had been disconnected. That was attributed, in my mind, to the fact that he had recently moved from San Diego to Orlando, Florida to be with his eldest daughter, Rin, and her family.
I would ask that all who knew Salty from his past contributions on this forum...and those who may not, to honor him and his surviving Family & friends with thoughts, wishes and prayers for both theirs & our loss.
Micheal Yawn, aka 'OldGringo,' 'PoppaGringo,' and 'Salty' would have been 86 years old on January 1st. Again, goodbye ol' friend, may you Rest In Peace. As you epitomized a true proud & patriotic American, you will be sorely missed by all...
Forever, ol' friend, your Junior NCO...
'Boot'
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passi... (
show quote)
my heart is sorely depressed at this news
'Papi
was the first guy to welcome me to OPP
'Papi' kinda took me under his wing and helped me to understand the postings of both Democrats and Republicans
I never met this man personally,but talked to him on opp regularly
not very long ago 'Papi' requested Slatten to tell me that he would like very much to hear from me
I did get to talk to him several times and then couldn't reach him on the phone
now I sadly know why
Our world has lost a fine upstanding man who fought for his country and endured many tortures in a North Korean prison camp
I feel like I have lost one of my own
May you rest in peace 'Papi'
and my farewell to a Marine
OORAH!!!!
slatten49 wrote:
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of an OPP icon from the recent past...PoppaGringo. I was notified by his daughter when she returned my call over concerns for him.
'Salty,' as I always addressed him, was as fine a gentleman as I have ever encountered. Though we differed in much (yet, not all) of our political leanings, we respected each other in countless ways. There is no doubt that much of that respect was due to our similar backgrounds in service to this great nation of ours. Salty, just as it is with BadBobby, will always be a hero of mine. Nothing could change that.
Salty served in Korea and I in Viet Nam...both as Marines. Having met on several occasions, we often shared our common experiences of having served in combat. However, he endured at least one hardship that I and others had the good fortune of avoiding: He was a survivor of being a POW for almost two years during the Korean conflict. That time served as a POW had a profound and lasting effect upon him to no small degree, and was accompanied by the pain of losing two sons to unsolved murders, plus a granddaughter to illness.
I honored and loved the man as one would a familial elder. Just as I called him 'Salty' as a term of endearment, in the same manner, he referred to me as 'Boot.' When I attended a Khe Sanh reunion in San Diego a few years ago, I took him with me to meet some fellow combatants from that infamous battle and war. He regaled them...although initially reluctantly...with 'sea stories' as only a Marine Vet of his experience and status could have. They all were so impressed with him, we decided to include him as an honorary member of our 'Nam unit.
Though I had feared this for a while, due to his obvious failing health, I type with silent tears rolling down my face. I had called him regularly and become somewhat alarmed when he did not answer the phone. I soon found it had been disconnected. That was attributed, in my mind, to the fact that he had recently moved from San Diego to Orlando, Florida to be with his eldest daughter, Rin, and her family.
I would ask that all who knew Salty from his past contributions on this forum...and those who may not, to honor him and his surviving Family & friends with thoughts, wishes and prayers for both theirs & our loss.
Micheal Yawn, aka 'OldGringo,' 'PoppaGringo,' and 'Salty' would have been 86 years old on January 1st. Again, goodbye ol' friend, may you Rest In Peace. As you epitomized a true proud & patriotic American, you will be sorely missed by all...
Forever, ol' friend, your Junior NCO...
'Boot'
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passi... (
show quote)
RIP. I did not know him personally, but only through email and OPP. He seemed to be quite a character.
Smedley_buzk**l wrote:
RIP. I did not know him personally, but only through email and OPP. He seemed to be quite a character.
That he was, my friend. I might add, he thought very highly of you and told me so many times.
Iliamna1 wrote:
Thank you for posting this eulogy. I am sorry for the loss of such a steadfast friend and companion but I hope you can take comfort in the many friendships you've formed here. I can only offer my prayers on everyone's behalf, that the Father of all comforts will heal the void left in so many lives. By His inesteemable Grace, Iliamna
Thanks, Iliamna, for your kind words of comfort.
vernon wrote:
very very good tribute.
I am proud that you think so, Vernon. Thanks.
milamber wrote:
my heart felt condolences Slat I didn't know Salty but may he rest in peace, when America looses a Hero like that it is just a little bit weaker all the way around.
Indeed, Milamber...and, thank you.
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