National convention, october 2-5, 2005, in bossier - Korean War ...

Chapter News
EDITOR’S NOTE: To avoid confusion in this section, we will use Chapters’ national IDs, rather than state Chapter numbers. For example,
Kansas Chapter 1 will appear as Chapter 181, which is its national chapter designation. Similarly, Missouri Chapter 2 will appear as Chapter
43, etc.
CHAPTER OF THE MONTH(S)
With each issue, we feature one Chapter that has been particularly
active and which has interesting stories to tell that
may be of widespread interest to KWVA members—and
which might assist them in pursuing their own activities.
In this issue we honor two Chapters, Missouri #44 and
Florissant #96, that combined to make the marriage of one
Marine and his bride memorable under unusual circumstances.
First Ever: Wedding Vows Exchanged At Korean War
Memorial In St. Louis
By Don Gutmann
Chapter 44 member Tom Gilmore requested the use of our
Memorial in Forest Park, St. Louis, MO, for a wedding ceremony
on March 12, 2005. The Chapter was honored to assist in any
way it could.
Letha Dorsey met Fields Black 11 years ago, and has been
living with him for the past ten. Black was born in University
City, MO. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 16. Several
years later, he was involved in the Gulf War, where he was
exposed to the burning oil fields in Kuwait. After the war, he was
diagnosed with late stage emphysema and lung cancer. Doctors
gave him six months to two years to live.
stairs. In fact, he is dependent on a tank of portable oxygen for
every breath. As he felt death approaching, he wanted to make
sure his family would receive survivor benefits. So, he and
Dorsey were married in front of the Korean war Memorial in
Forest Park—but not without the proverbial hitch.
Because of a scheduling problem, the original reverend who
was to perform the ceremony was unavailable. Tom Gilmore
made me aware of the situation. I contacted Reverend Lee Hull,
who is the Commander of KWVA Chapter 96, located in
Florissant, MO. His schedule for March 12, 2005 was extremely
tight. However, when the situation was explained, he commented,
“Anything for a veteran.” Thus, the ceremony took place.
Junior ROTC unit members held their swords high for the
newly married couple to walk under. Gunnery Sgt. Lowe swatted
Dorsey lightly with a sword before she walked down the
aisle. He said, “On behalf of the United States Marine Corps,
welcome to the Marine Corps family, ma’am.”
A great deal of thanks goes to Chapter 44 member Tom
Gilmore. He worked tirelessly to see that even the smallest detail
was attended to. This was truly a labor of love for Tom
Gilmore—and a tribute to the camaraderie that exists among veterans
of all wars and all branches of the armed forces.
15 Eddie die Lyon L
[FL]
15
Joe D. Firriolo
Chapter members get together for various functions
LEFT: Members of
15 display their
banner
BELOW: 15 members
gather in front
of Korean War
monument
Rev. Lee Hull, Fields Black, and Letha Dorsey at wedding ceremony
42
Black applied for disability benefits, which were denied. He
revealed that the Department of Veterans Affairs said he must
have smoked several packs of cigarettes a day since he was fourteen
years of age. But, he claimed he never smoked until he
joined the Marines, and then he did so only on occasion.
Eventually, however, he was approved for disability for post
traumatic stress syndrome. Black does not regret his service. In
fact, he said, he would do it all over again.
Once a proud, strong Marine, he has trouble walking up the
July - August A
2005
The Graybeards