Dear Purple Foxes:

I don't know quite know where to start, but as Chuck (better known to you as "Father Fox" or Colonel Dunbaugh) would have said, "Just jump in and start paddling - you'll either sink or swim".  So here goes . . . .

First let me say I feel strange using his e-mail address to you, his fellow Marines, but as yet,  I do not have one of my own.  Therefore, perhaps this message is also from him.

Our family want all of you to know how much we appreciated your kind expressions of sympathy and condolences on his passing.   So many of you wrote of personal experiences and of the respect you held for him.  It gave us all another insight into the wonderful person we knew as our
husband, dad, granddad and great  granddad.  We thank you for taking the time to send us your e-mails and we thank the ones who attended his services, both in Dickinson and Arlington.  We were very humbled by your thoughtfulness.

Our daughter put all your messages on a board, bordered them in purple, with the Purple Fox Patch at the center, and displayed it at his service.  Needless to say, they elicited quite a few positive comments.  The Services at Arlington were especially awesome and something we will
always treasure.  We feel at peace knowing he is in such a wonderful resting place.

In closing I would like to leave you with this Parting Prayer our Marine son read at the service:  "There is a saying in the Naval Service that
dates back to the time of sailing ships.  It is rendered to Marines and Sailors who are going into battle, leaving ships, assuming or relinquishing commands, or who are going on to their next duty station.  It is given by friends when parting, and it is rendered now:

"May the Lord grant you fair winds, a following sea and God speed."

Semper Fidelis.

Mary Dunbaugh and family, Maj. Chris (USMC), Leslie, Kathi, Maj. Kevin (USAF) and Donna

PS - We hope your have a wonderful reunion.  We'll miss being there.