Very Important Message

[Joz]

I received a message from Merlin1047's wife, Rita, this evening.
Ben passed away 9/11.
Tho't all of you would want to know.
He will be sorely missed.

 

[KarlMarx]

And thus, one of the better voices of USMB is stilled....

A life cut short.... there is nothing more tragic....

My heart and prayers go out to his family...

 

[jimnyc]

This is a very sad day. Ben was a great member, moderator, friend & person in general. He will be missed much here and I'm confident by all of his friends, family and colleagues. My prayers go out to all of them, specifically his family.

You're in a better place now, Ben, enjoy.

 

[Mr. P]

Until we meet again fellow Aviator!


High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

— John Gillespie Magee, Jr​

 

[Fmr jarhead]

Rest in Peace and Comfort......

I will miss you, Merlin.

 

[no1tovote4]

We were priveledged to have known him...

As we said in the Navy, "He is still on Patrol!"

 

[Annie]

I'm so sorry, Mrs. Merlin. I'm assuming Joz will pass on our condolences. I can't believe I won't read his wicked wit anymore. Farewell my friend!

 

[GotZoom]

A sad day for so many reasons.

R.I.P - our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

 

[Shattered]

Until we meet again fellow Aviator!


High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

— John Gillespie Magee, Jr​

I'll see yours, and raise you one better:

<center><i>IMPRESSIONS OF A PILOT

Flight is freedom in its purest form,
To dance with the clouds which follow a storm;

To roll and glide, to wheel and spin,
To feel the joy that swells within;

To leave the earth with its troubles and fly,
And know the warmth of a clear spring sky;

Then back to earth at the end of a day,
Released from the tensions which melted away.

Should my end come while I am in flight,
Whether brightest day or darkest night;

Spare me your pity and shrug off the pain,
Secure in the knowledge that I'd do it again;

For each of us is created to die,
And within me I know,
I was born to fly.

— Gary Claud Stokor</i></center>

 

[dmp]

ugh...

This hits hard; Somebody let Ben's wife know she and her family are in our prayers and hearts.

 

[Abbey Normal]

I am so sorry.

May I ask, how old was Merlin?

 

[5stringJeff]

Hard news to hear. My condolences to Merlin's family - though I'm sure that he is with the Lord now.

 

[Joan]

Very sad news indeed, I was praying he'd pull through this battle! As Jeff said, he is at home with the Lord - bless him and his family!

 

[archangel]

He put up such a great battle...even came in here when he was feeling bad...to give us his wit and a snap on the butt from time to time! :coffee3:

 

[CSM]

I have been avoiding this thread all day....

I only knew Merlin through this board, yet his loss is affecting me deeply for some reason. Must be that fellow warrior thing.

Godspeed, Merlin, and save me a spot where ever it is.

 

[Fmr jarhead]

My last correspondence through PM's with Merlin....


From 7-15-2005:

Had to go back into hospital due to running a bit of a fever. Assholes damn near killed me. I've escaped. Will post an update as soon as I have the time.

Yep, I will miss him.

 

[Jimmyeatworld]

I didn't know Merlin very well. Seems about the time I got here and started getting active is about the time he had to step away. What I read of his posts, he seemed like a great guy. It's always a sad day when we lose a veteran.

I always wear an American flag pin to work. Today, as a small salute, I'll be wearing two.

 

[USViking]

I wish I had known him better.

God speed.

God bless.

 

[dilloduck]

Bye Ben and enjoy the rewards to have sincerely earned. I only knew him from here but I got close enough to him to hurt by the news of his passing. Please pass on my condolences.

 

[manu1959]

merlin,

farwell my internet friend

i only knew you for a short time

but i found you to be a reasonable, witty, honest and fair man

you will be missed

god bless you and your family

clay