Recollections

Taps

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Taps are listed by Last Name.

Name: Dennis, Karl - [Served 1966] Died June 13, 2004.

"Karl Dennis was one of the individuals who helped setup the 24th Evac back in 1966.
He lost his long battle with cancer on June 13, 2004.
If you have a story to add about Karl it would be appreciated.
The obituary can be found at:
http://www.legacy.com/posttribune/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=2328437"

Messages from Mary Ann Dennis, his Wife

"Hello all, Karl passed away last night at 11:50pm. We were at his side,
and watched as the peace of the Lord settled into his face. It was a
difficult hour and a half, but he is at peace now. Yours in Christ, Mary Ann
Funeral services at:
Burns Funeral Home
101st & Broadway
Crown Point, IN 46307
Ph: 219-769-0044
Wake: Wednesday, June 16 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Memorial service: Thursday, June 17 at 11:00 p.m."

"From: ""Mary Ann Dennis"" <madennis@netnitco.net>
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2004 00:29:29 -0500
Hello all, I wanted to share with you the incredible love we experienced
this week.
The wake for Karl was attended by over 400 people and the funeral
has attended by at least 120 people. The wake was a time of sharing
wonderful stories of Karl. His work ethics, love of family, friends and
country. Many tears were shed but more laughter was shared. The quest stayed
on through the end of hours just enjoying stories of him. I have never
hugged and kissed so many people in my life, but I felt the love for him in
every hug. The funeral was beautiful, filled with scripture readings, eulogy
of four people very dear to him. His former BOSS and dear friend Jerry
Gasvoda, my sisters Char Schuyler and Rosemary Sexton and our Son in Law
Michael. We told of how much Karl meant to them and how he effected all he
knew. Karl was love. He will be miss by all who knew and loved him. Our family will miss him forever, but we will go on, with the help of our Lord. Thank you all for your prayers and visits. To all our you who traveled far
to attend the service, we can never express how much it meant to us to see
in there. The service had a military ceremony in it, in which Army personnel
blew taps and a 21 gun salute and presented me with the flag on behalf of
the President of the United States. Not a dry eye in place after that. I
love you all, and will stay in touch. In His Name, Mary Ann"

Name: Wilson, Liz - [Served 1970-71 @ the 24th Evac] Died Sept 24, 2004.

"My sister Liz was stationed at the 24th Evac in Long Binh for parts of 1970 and 1971. I am writing to let you know that she died on Friday, September 24, 2004. We think she laid down to take a nap and just never woke up. We found a copy of your e-mail about Karl Dennis' death and thought Liz would appreciate us letting the 24th Evac family know what happened.
We had a private family service in Denver on Tuesday and will have a memorial mass at Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Washington DC, followed by an internment at Arlington National Cemetery on October 29. If you can, please pass on the information.
Thank you.
Mary Kay Wilson
[ If you want to contact the family, please contact the Webmaster for the Email address]

Name: DiBartolomeo, Dr Anthony (Tony) - [Served 1968-69 @ Song Be Province Hospital] Died April 17, 2004.

"Dr. Tony DiBartolomeo served as a surgeon in at civilian hospital in Song Be Province treating refugees from 1968 to 1969. His wife Deanna (Ellis) DiBartolomeo was the head nurse on the orthopedic ward at the 24th Evac in 1968.
Anthony (Tony) G. DiBartolomeo, M.D., 62, of Morgantown, died Saturday, April 17, 2004, at Ruby Memorial Hospital.
Please remember his family in your prayers during this difficult time.
http://www.dominionpost.com/a/obits/2004/04/21/aa/
http://www.dominionpost.com/a/news/2004/04/19/aa/
For more on Tony and Deanna, see:
http://24thevacuationhospital.org/Recollections/DeannaEllisDiBartolomeo/index.htm"

Name: Webster, LTC Ruth

"Kenneth P Butke LTC RET
24th Evac Registrar from: 1969-1970
Because of Tom Ferri's interest in Ltc Ruth Webster I did some research and found out that she died last year in Australia. She went there after Retirement because she enjoyed her R&R there from Vietnam. She had cancer. She enjoyed her time there and sent personal information to the Army Nurse Corps newspaper. I know Tom would join me is saying that she exemplified the very best that The Army Nurse Corps had to offer."

Name: Fortmiller, Edward SP5 (Ed, or Eddie) - [Served 1968-69 @ the 24th Evac; and served as webmaster] Died June 24, 2006.

Born: December 24, 1947 in Baltimore MD
Died: June 24, 2006 in Hudson MA

Ed is survived by his wife of 31 years, Joan (Tyler) Fortmiller.
His parents pre-deceased him.
Ed was the eldest of 10 children.

On May 1, 1968 Ed was drafted into the US Army. His basic training was at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio TX. He arrived in Vietnam on September 30, 1968, and was assigned to the 24th Evac Hospital. Serving first as a Corpsman on the orthopedic Ward, and later as a Scrub Tech/Medical Assistant in the OR, "Eddie" was a dedicated worker who quickly advanced to SP5.

Recognition for his exemplary service was with the following medals:
Army Commendation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Good Conduct Medal

Remaining active in support of the 24th Evac Hospital, in personal contact with former coworkers and patients, Ed also served as webmaster for this website from July 2003 until his death.

Returning home from Vietnam on December 4, 1969, Ed continued his career at Digital Equipment Corporation in MA. He spent nearly 25 years with Digital, in various departments. When he left Digital, Ed had achieved the position of a Principal Software Engineer, and was involved in more than one patent application.

Ed was a member of the Seveth-day Adventist Church. He served his church in many capacities, including deacon, and was the webmaster for the College Church near his home in Massachusetts. Ed quietly lived a life committed to God, making an impact on the lives of everyone around him, whether coworker, neighbor, friend, or family member. Ed believed in volunteer work, giving thousands of hours of service. His most enduring legacy is his design of a website on the meaning and importance of the Bible Sabbath, that continues to share the love of Jesus with all who view it today. www.SabbathTrail.org

The following message from Ed's wife, comes with a prayer that by the example of Ed's life, you will be impacted to commit your life completely to God today and every day, and meet Ed when Jesus returns to resurrect him from the grave.Ed now is sleeping, awaiting Jesus second coming, and is no longer suffering. [1 Thessalonians 4:13-18] The best is yet to come, through all eternity together.

I miss Ed so much. Our lives were closely intertwined, and our greatest happiness was simply to be together. Since meeting each other, it is no exaggeration to say that we spent 32 years as best friends and soul mates. Each of us had been praying that God would bring us the right partner, and we thanked Him so many times for answering our prayer so completely.

Many couples take the marriage vows, "till death do us part," but as our love for each other grew over the years, we took what perhaps is an unusual step, and declared to each other that our partnership will be for all eternity. What we are experiencing now is simply a short break, before we will again walk hand in hand wherever we go, as we once did.

Ed always cared more about others than himself, even during his illness. His thoughts were on others, and how he could help them. I personally know how much Ed wants to see those he loves and cares about -- his family and friends -- again, and to spend eternity enjoying your companionship. I would be unfaithful to his legacy if I did not sincerely ask each of you to take some quality time to stop and reflect on where you truly are with God, and the shortness of life. Let's resolve to use Ed's example as just the wakeup call that you and I need, and that we will each take it personally that God is trying to reach us.

Each day I give my life to God again, and focus on being ready to meet Ed soon, on resurrection day. Nothing is going to get in the way of that reunion. I pray that you will join me in this commitment. ------ Joan

Name: name

Updated: May 25, 2007