William "Bill" Hipps passed away April 4, 2007, at the Veterans Home Care Unit in Orlando, Fla.
He was 94 at the time of his passing. He died of causes relating to old military disabilities and a battle with Alzheimer's.
He is survived by his loving family: wife, Jean J. Hipps of Melbourne, Fla., son, William Hipps Jr., daughter-in-law Susan, and two grown grandchildren, William III and Abigail, all of San Francisco, Calif., and his god-son, Andrew Ulmer, of Walterboro, S.C., his brothers Dick Peterman of Luthersberg and Tom Peterman of Spartanburg, S.C. and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his mother, Martha H. Peterman, brother Bob Peterman and sisters Jane Polkinghorn, Doris Ammerman and Ruth Vazalis.
Until the increasing burdens of Alzheimer's disease overtook him two years ago, Bill Hipps lived an exceptionally active life. He has always a proud native of Pennsylvania which he called "home". Born in Lumber City in 1912, he spoke fondly of his years on the "farm" where he was reared. He was a driven student academically and loved athletics, especially baseball and football. As Alzheimer's tightened its grip on his memory, he spoke often about returning "home to the farm"; happy times rooted 80 years earlier.
After graduation from Curwensville High School, his Aunt Ethel Hipps, an Army Nurse stationed in Washington, D.C., brought him to the Capitol. He served in the Army reserves and studied at Millard Prep School to prepare for the entrance exams for West Point. As a member of the USMA '37, he enjoyed the rigorous lifestyle of a Cadet, finding time for Varsity sports, lettering with a "Major Army A" for varsity Football. He graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1937. After graduation he entered flight school, earned his pilot's wings and was assigned to the Army Air Corps.
In 1941, he commanded the 16th Bombardment Squadron at Hunter Field in Savannah, Ga. As hostilities with Japan grew imminent, he and 1,000 members of the 27th Bomb Group were assigned to the Philippines arriving shortly before Pearl Harbor and the carefully timed simultaneous Japanese attack on the Philippines. He was assigned to Douglas MacArthur's staff, escaping the Philippines shortly before the Japanese takeover. In early 1942, he planned and led a surprise raid from Australia back to Philippines to disrupt the Japanese advance in the South Pacific. The raid was successful. It took place almost coincident with Gen. Doolittle's raid on Tokyo and caused much concern among the Japanese General Staff regarding the strength, capability and timing of America's impending response.
After combat assignments in Java and New Guinea, he was ordered back to the United States in December1942 to join General George Marshall's general staff to plan and oversee execution of air operations in the Pacific.
At his request, he was reassigned to combat operations in the Pacific in 1944 as the Pacific Theater Air Executive Officer. He participated in invasion of the Philippines and fulfilled a deep passion to locate and help liberate the Prisoners of War brutally held by the Japanese in the Philippines. These prisoners included many of his fellow West Point alumni and members of his original command, captured by the Japanese on Bataan and Corregidor.
As head of operations for the air warfare for the Pacific Theater, he proceeded through the ensuing Pacific campaign in the Philippines, China, Okinawa and Japan. Upon the unconditional surrender of the Imperial Japanese forces, he set in motion "Operation Blacklist" to quickly airlift American forces into Tokyo for the rapid takeover of Japan. Precise execution of this plan allowed American forces to rapidly take control of the Japanese governmental and military infrastructure. The speed and effectiveness of the putting US forces in visible presence on the Tokyo plain quelled plans by radical forces within the Imperial Japanese home defense forces to execute a coup d'etat attempting to negate the Emperor's surrender.
Bill Hipps returned from Japan to Washington, D.C., in 1946. In the summer of 1946, he married Juanita Redmond, a Lt. Colonel and head of the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps. They had met earlier seeking shelter during a Japanese air raid in the Philippines in late 1941. In 1949, while assigned as a Professor at the Air War College in Montgomery, Ala., their son William Jr., was born.
After WWII he served in a variety of critical positions including: Plans Officer for development and deployment of the Strategic Air Command, Executive Officer to the Secretary of the Air Force during the Korean War, Commander of 313th Air Division in Okinawa (Japan), Deputy Inspector General of the Air Force, Director of Logistics for the Tactical Air Command and Director of Operations for the Air Force Logistics Command during the intense ramp up of the Vietnam War. He retired in 1967 after 32 years of service.
During General Hipps' career he won most of the nation's highest awards for valor and excellence in service as well as numerous campaign and unit citations. These include: the Distinguished Service Cross (awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force.) Two Distinguished Service Medals, five Legions of Merit, two Bronze Star Metals (for valor in combat), the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, and three Commendation Medals.
After his Air Force career, he worked for Philco Ford for 10 years. He finally retired for good in 1977 settling in St. Petersburg, Fla., to "improve my golf game". He remained an avid sportsman until the end.
In February 1979, his wife, Juanita Redmond Hipps, died after 32 years of marriage. Juanita is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. After her death, Gen. Hipps occupied himself working on a national memorial recognizing the men and women who during their incarceration in the Japanese POW camps in the Philippines. This memorial was dedicated in 1984 at the site of the infamous Cabanatuan prison camp. Another memorial, championed by Gen. Hipps, is in place at West Point dedicated to the 179 graduates of the Academy who died in the Philippine Campaign. This is the largest loss of West Point graduates in any single military campaign.
Late in 1979, Bill Hipps was lucky to meet Jean Lineawever who became the second love of his life. They were married in St. Petersburg, Fla., on May 17, 1980.
On his 91st birthday he will be remembered for shooting a true 90.
At the time of his death, he and Jean were approaching their anniversary of 27 happy and devoted years of marriage. During their years together, they traveled extensively: returning to Asia, visiting his brother Bob in France and exploring new adventures around the world. He often commented that "I'd never have lived this long without Jeanie." Those who knew him would attest that he may well have been correct.
Bill Hipps loved his country deeply and was proud to serve America in war and peace. He will be buried with the full military honors of a grateful nation at Arlington National Cemetery. Services begin at 9 AM on June 8th , 2007, at the Fort Myer Chapel with burial immediately following. He would have been 95 years old on this day. He will be missed; however, we are all thankful that he is with his almighty Father, evermore, and give thanks for a life well lived with dedication to duty, honor and country.
He was 94 at the time of his passing. He died of causes relating to old military disabilities and a battle with Alzheimer's.
He is survived by his loving family: wife, Jean J. Hipps of Melbourne, Fla., son, William Hipps Jr., daughter-in-law Susan, and two grown grandchildren, William III and Abigail, all of San Francisco, Calif., and his god-son, Andrew Ulmer, of Walterboro, S.C., his brothers Dick Peterman of Luthersberg and Tom Peterman of Spartanburg, S.C. and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his mother, Martha H. Peterman, brother Bob Peterman and sisters Jane Polkinghorn, Doris Ammerman and Ruth Vazalis.
Until the increasing burdens of Alzheimer's disease overtook him two years ago, Bill Hipps lived an exceptionally active life. He has always a proud native of Pennsylvania which he called "home". Born in Lumber City in 1912, he spoke fondly of his years on the "farm" where he was reared. He was a driven student academically and loved athletics, especially baseball and football. As Alzheimer's tightened its grip on his memory, he spoke often about returning "home to the farm"; happy times rooted 80 years earlier.
After graduation from Curwensville High School, his Aunt Ethel Hipps, an Army Nurse stationed in Washington, D.C., brought him to the Capitol. He served in the Army reserves and studied at Millard Prep School to prepare for the entrance exams for West Point. As a member of the USMA '37, he enjoyed the rigorous lifestyle of a Cadet, finding time for Varsity sports, lettering with a "Major Army A" for varsity Football. He graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1937. After graduation he entered flight school, earned his pilot's wings and was assigned to the Army Air Corps.
In 1941, he commanded the 16th Bombardment Squadron at Hunter Field in Savannah, Ga. As hostilities with Japan grew imminent, he and 1,000 members of the 27th Bomb Group were assigned to the Philippines arriving shortly before Pearl Harbor and the carefully timed simultaneous Japanese attack on the Philippines. He was assigned to Douglas MacArthur's staff, escaping the Philippines shortly before the Japanese takeover. In early 1942, he planned and led a surprise raid from Australia back to Philippines to disrupt the Japanese advance in the South Pacific. The raid was successful. It took place almost coincident with Gen. Doolittle's raid on Tokyo and caused much concern among the Japanese General Staff regarding the strength, capability and timing of America's impending response.
After combat assignments in Java and New Guinea, he was ordered back to the United States in December1942 to join General George Marshall's general staff to plan and oversee execution of air operations in the Pacific.
At his request, he was reassigned to combat operations in the Pacific in 1944 as the Pacific Theater Air Executive Officer. He participated in invasion of the Philippines and fulfilled a deep passion to locate and help liberate the Prisoners of War brutally held by the Japanese in the Philippines. These prisoners included many of his fellow West Point alumni and members of his original command, captured by the Japanese on Bataan and Corregidor.
As head of operations for the air warfare for the Pacific Theater, he proceeded through the ensuing Pacific campaign in the Philippines, China, Okinawa and Japan. Upon the unconditional surrender of the Imperial Japanese forces, he set in motion "Operation Blacklist" to quickly airlift American forces into Tokyo for the rapid takeover of Japan. Precise execution of this plan allowed American forces to rapidly take control of the Japanese governmental and military infrastructure. The speed and effectiveness of the putting US forces in visible presence on the Tokyo plain quelled plans by radical forces within the Imperial Japanese home defense forces to execute a coup d'etat attempting to negate the Emperor's surrender.
Bill Hipps returned from Japan to Washington, D.C., in 1946. In the summer of 1946, he married Juanita Redmond, a Lt. Colonel and head of the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps. They had met earlier seeking shelter during a Japanese air raid in the Philippines in late 1941. In 1949, while assigned as a Professor at the Air War College in Montgomery, Ala., their son William Jr., was born.
After WWII he served in a variety of critical positions including: Plans Officer for development and deployment of the Strategic Air Command, Executive Officer to the Secretary of the Air Force during the Korean War, Commander of 313th Air Division in Okinawa (Japan), Deputy Inspector General of the Air Force, Director of Logistics for the Tactical Air Command and Director of Operations for the Air Force Logistics Command during the intense ramp up of the Vietnam War. He retired in 1967 after 32 years of service.
During General Hipps' career he won most of the nation's highest awards for valor and excellence in service as well as numerous campaign and unit citations. These include: the Distinguished Service Cross (awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force.) Two Distinguished Service Medals, five Legions of Merit, two Bronze Star Metals (for valor in combat), the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, and three Commendation Medals.
After his Air Force career, he worked for Philco Ford for 10 years. He finally retired for good in 1977 settling in St. Petersburg, Fla., to "improve my golf game". He remained an avid sportsman until the end.
In February 1979, his wife, Juanita Redmond Hipps, died after 32 years of marriage. Juanita is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. After her death, Gen. Hipps occupied himself working on a national memorial recognizing the men and women who during their incarceration in the Japanese POW camps in the Philippines. This memorial was dedicated in 1984 at the site of the infamous Cabanatuan prison camp. Another memorial, championed by Gen. Hipps, is in place at West Point dedicated to the 179 graduates of the Academy who died in the Philippine Campaign. This is the largest loss of West Point graduates in any single military campaign.
Late in 1979, Bill Hipps was lucky to meet Jean Lineawever who became the second love of his life. They were married in St. Petersburg, Fla., on May 17, 1980.
On his 91st birthday he will be remembered for shooting a true 90.
At the time of his death, he and Jean were approaching their anniversary of 27 happy and devoted years of marriage. During their years together, they traveled extensively: returning to Asia, visiting his brother Bob in France and exploring new adventures around the world. He often commented that "I'd never have lived this long without Jeanie." Those who knew him would attest that he may well have been correct.
Bill Hipps loved his country deeply and was proud to serve America in war and peace. He will be buried with the full military honors of a grateful nation at Arlington National Cemetery. Services begin at 9 AM on June 8th , 2007, at the Fort Myer Chapel with burial immediately following. He would have been 95 years old on this day. He will be missed; however, we are all thankful that he is with his almighty Father, evermore, and give thanks for a life well lived with dedication to duty, honor and country.
William "Bill" Hipps passed away April 4, 2007, at the Veterans Home Care Unit in Orlando, Fla.
He was 94 at the time of his passing. He died of causes relating to old military disabilities and a battle with Alzheimer's.
He is survived by his loving family: wife, Jean J. Hipps of Melbourne, Fla., son, William Hipps Jr., daughter-in-law Susan, and two grown grandchildren, William III and Abigail, all of San Francisco, Calif., and his god-son, Andrew Ulmer, of Walterboro, S.C., his brothers Dick Peterman of Luthersberg and Tom Peterman of Spartanburg, S.C. and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his mother, Martha H. Peterman, brother Bob Peterman and sisters Jane Polkinghorn, Doris Ammerman and Ruth Vazalis.
Until the increasing burdens of Alzheimer's disease overtook him two years ago, Bill Hipps lived an exceptionally active life. He has always a proud native of Pennsylvania which he called "home". Born in Lumber City in 1912, he spoke fondly of his years on the "farm" where he was reared. He was a driven student academically and loved athletics, especially baseball and football. As Alzheimer's tightened its grip on his memory, he spoke often about returning "home to the farm"; happy times rooted 80 years earlier.
After graduation from Curwensville High School, his Aunt Ethel Hipps, an Army Nurse stationed in Washington, D.C., brought him to the Capitol. He served in the Army reserves and studied at Millard Prep School to prepare for the entrance exams for West Point. As a member of the USMA '37, he enjoyed the rigorous lifestyle of a Cadet, finding time for Varsity sports, lettering with a "Major Army A" for varsity Football. He graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1937. After graduation he entered flight school, earned his pilot's wings and was assigned to the Army Air Corps.
In 1941, he commanded the 16th Bombardment Squadron at Hunter Field in Savannah, Ga. As hostilities with Japan grew imminent, he and 1,000 members of the 27th Bomb Group were assigned to the Philippines arriving shortly before Pearl Harbor and the carefully timed simultaneous Japanese attack on the Philippines. He was assigned to Douglas MacArthur's staff, escaping the Philippines shortly before the Japanese takeover. In early 1942, he planned and led a surprise raid from Australia back to Philippines to disrupt the Japanese advance in the South Pacific. The raid was successful. It took place almost coincident with Gen. Doolittle's raid on Tokyo and caused much concern among the Japanese General Staff regarding the strength, capability and timing of America's impending response.
After combat assignments in Java and New Guinea, he was ordered back to the United States in December1942 to join General George Marshall's general staff to plan and oversee execution of air operations in the Pacific.
At his request, he was reassigned to combat operations in the Pacific in 1944 as the Pacific Theater Air Executive Officer. He participated in invasion of the Philippines and fulfilled a deep passion to locate and help liberate the Prisoners of War brutally held by the Japanese in the Philippines. These prisoners included many of his fellow West Point alumni and members of his original command, captured by the Japanese on Bataan and Corregidor.
As head of operations for the air warfare for the Pacific Theater, he proceeded through the ensuing Pacific campaign in the Philippines, China, Okinawa and Japan. Upon the unconditional surrender of the Imperial Japanese forces, he set in motion "Operation Blacklist" to quickly airlift American forces into Tokyo for the rapid takeover of Japan. Precise execution of this plan allowed American forces to rapidly take control of the Japanese governmental and military infrastructure. The speed and effectiveness of the putting US forces in visible presence on the Tokyo plain quelled plans by radical forces within the Imperial Japanese home defense forces to execute a coup d'etat attempting to negate the Emperor's surrender.
Bill Hipps returned from Japan to Washington, D.C., in 1946. In the summer of 1946, he married Juanita Redmond, a Lt. Colonel and head of the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps. They had met earlier seeking shelter during a Japanese air raid in the Philippines in late 1941. In 1949, while assigned as a Professor at the Air War College in Montgomery, Ala., their son William Jr., was born.
After WWII he served in a variety of critical positions including: Plans Officer for development and deployment of the Strategic Air Command, Executive Officer to the Secretary of the Air Force during the Korean War, Commander of 313th Air Division in Okinawa (Japan), Deputy Inspector General of the Air Force, Director of Logistics for the Tactical Air Command and Director of Operations for the Air Force Logistics Command during the intense ramp up of the Vietnam War. He retired in 1967 after 32 years of service.
During General Hipps' career he won most of the nation's highest awards for valor and excellence in service as well as numerous campaign and unit citations. These include: the Distinguished Service Cross (awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force.) Two Distinguished Service Medals, five Legions of Merit, two Bronze Star Metals (for valor in combat), the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, and three Commendation Medals.
After his Air Force career, he worked for Philco Ford for 10 years. He finally retired for good in 1977 settling in St. Petersburg, Fla., to "improve my golf game". He remained an avid sportsman until the end.
In February 1979, his wife, Juanita Redmond Hipps, died after 32 years of marriage. Juanita is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. After her death, Gen. Hipps occupied himself working on a national memorial recognizing the men and women who during their incarceration in the Japanese POW camps in the Philippines. This memorial was dedicated in 1984 at the site of the infamous Cabanatuan prison camp. Another memorial, championed by Gen. Hipps, is in place at West Point dedicated to the 179 graduates of the Academy who died in the Philippine Campaign. This is the largest loss of West Point graduates in any single military campaign.
Late in 1979, Bill Hipps was lucky to meet Jean Lineawever who became the second love of his life. They were married in St. Petersburg, Fla., on May 17, 1980.
On his 91st birthday he will be remembered for shooting a true 90.
At the time of his death, he and Jean were approaching their anniversary of 27 happy and devoted years of marriage. During their years together, they traveled extensively: returning to Asia, visiting his brother Bob in France and exploring new adventures around the world. He often commented that "I'd never have lived this long without Jeanie." Those who knew him would attest that he may well have been correct.
Bill Hipps loved his country deeply and was proud to serve America in war and peace. He will be buried with the full military honors of a grateful nation at Arlington National Cemetery. Services begin at 9 AM on June 8th , 2007, at the Fort Myer Chapel with burial immediately following. He would have been 95 years old on this day. He will be missed; however, we are all thankful that he is with his almighty Father, evermore, and give thanks for a life well lived with dedication to duty, honor and country.
He was 94 at the time of his passing. He died of causes relating to old military disabilities and a battle with Alzheimer's.
He is survived by his loving family: wife, Jean J. Hipps of Melbourne, Fla., son, William Hipps Jr., daughter-in-law Susan, and two grown grandchildren, William III and Abigail, all of San Francisco, Calif., and his god-son, Andrew Ulmer, of Walterboro, S.C., his brothers Dick Peterman of Luthersberg and Tom Peterman of Spartanburg, S.C. and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his mother, Martha H. Peterman, brother Bob Peterman and sisters Jane Polkinghorn, Doris Ammerman and Ruth Vazalis.
Until the increasing burdens of Alzheimer's disease overtook him two years ago, Bill Hipps lived an exceptionally active life. He has always a proud native of Pennsylvania which he called "home". Born in Lumber City in 1912, he spoke fondly of his years on the "farm" where he was reared. He was a driven student academically and loved athletics, especially baseball and football. As Alzheimer's tightened its grip on his memory, he spoke often about returning "home to the farm"; happy times rooted 80 years earlier.
After graduation from Curwensville High School, his Aunt Ethel Hipps, an Army Nurse stationed in Washington, D.C., brought him to the Capitol. He served in the Army reserves and studied at Millard Prep School to prepare for the entrance exams for West Point. As a member of the USMA '37, he enjoyed the rigorous lifestyle of a Cadet, finding time for Varsity sports, lettering with a "Major Army A" for varsity Football. He graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1937. After graduation he entered flight school, earned his pilot's wings and was assigned to the Army Air Corps.
In 1941, he commanded the 16th Bombardment Squadron at Hunter Field in Savannah, Ga. As hostilities with Japan grew imminent, he and 1,000 members of the 27th Bomb Group were assigned to the Philippines arriving shortly before Pearl Harbor and the carefully timed simultaneous Japanese attack on the Philippines. He was assigned to Douglas MacArthur's staff, escaping the Philippines shortly before the Japanese takeover. In early 1942, he planned and led a surprise raid from Australia back to Philippines to disrupt the Japanese advance in the South Pacific. The raid was successful. It took place almost coincident with Gen. Doolittle's raid on Tokyo and caused much concern among the Japanese General Staff regarding the strength, capability and timing of America's impending response.
After combat assignments in Java and New Guinea, he was ordered back to the United States in December1942 to join General George Marshall's general staff to plan and oversee execution of air operations in the Pacific.
At his request, he was reassigned to combat operations in the Pacific in 1944 as the Pacific Theater Air Executive Officer. He participated in invasion of the Philippines and fulfilled a deep passion to locate and help liberate the Prisoners of War brutally held by the Japanese in the Philippines. These prisoners included many of his fellow West Point alumni and members of his original command, captured by the Japanese on Bataan and Corregidor.
As head of operations for the air warfare for the Pacific Theater, he proceeded through the ensuing Pacific campaign in the Philippines, China, Okinawa and Japan. Upon the unconditional surrender of the Imperial Japanese forces, he set in motion "Operation Blacklist" to quickly airlift American forces into Tokyo for the rapid takeover of Japan. Precise execution of this plan allowed American forces to rapidly take control of the Japanese governmental and military infrastructure. The speed and effectiveness of the putting US forces in visible presence on the Tokyo plain quelled plans by radical forces within the Imperial Japanese home defense forces to execute a coup d'etat attempting to negate the Emperor's surrender.
Bill Hipps returned from Japan to Washington, D.C., in 1946. In the summer of 1946, he married Juanita Redmond, a Lt. Colonel and head of the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps. They had met earlier seeking shelter during a Japanese air raid in the Philippines in late 1941. In 1949, while assigned as a Professor at the Air War College in Montgomery, Ala., their son William Jr., was born.
After WWII he served in a variety of critical positions including: Plans Officer for development and deployment of the Strategic Air Command, Executive Officer to the Secretary of the Air Force during the Korean War, Commander of 313th Air Division in Okinawa (Japan), Deputy Inspector General of the Air Force, Director of Logistics for the Tactical Air Command and Director of Operations for the Air Force Logistics Command during the intense ramp up of the Vietnam War. He retired in 1967 after 32 years of service.
During General Hipps' career he won most of the nation's highest awards for valor and excellence in service as well as numerous campaign and unit citations. These include: the Distinguished Service Cross (awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force.) Two Distinguished Service Medals, five Legions of Merit, two Bronze Star Metals (for valor in combat), the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, and three Commendation Medals.
After his Air Force career, he worked for Philco Ford for 10 years. He finally retired for good in 1977 settling in St. Petersburg, Fla., to "improve my golf game". He remained an avid sportsman until the end.
In February 1979, his wife, Juanita Redmond Hipps, died after 32 years of marriage. Juanita is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. After her death, Gen. Hipps occupied himself working on a national memorial recognizing the men and women who during their incarceration in the Japanese POW camps in the Philippines. This memorial was dedicated in 1984 at the site of the infamous Cabanatuan prison camp. Another memorial, championed by Gen. Hipps, is in place at West Point dedicated to the 179 graduates of the Academy who died in the Philippine Campaign. This is the largest loss of West Point graduates in any single military campaign.
Late in 1979, Bill Hipps was lucky to meet Jean Lineawever who became the second love of his life. They were married in St. Petersburg, Fla., on May 17, 1980.
On his 91st birthday he will be remembered for shooting a true 90.
At the time of his death, he and Jean were approaching their anniversary of 27 happy and devoted years of marriage. During their years together, they traveled extensively: returning to Asia, visiting his brother Bob in France and exploring new adventures around the world. He often commented that "I'd never have lived this long without Jeanie." Those who knew him would attest that he may well have been correct.
Bill Hipps loved his country deeply and was proud to serve America in war and peace. He will be buried with the full military honors of a grateful nation at Arlington National Cemetery. Services begin at 9 AM on June 8th , 2007, at the Fort Myer Chapel with burial immediately following. He would have been 95 years old on this day. He will be missed; however, we are all thankful that he is with his almighty Father, evermore, and give thanks for a life well lived with dedication to duty, honor and country.
