The Passing of my HERO.

[yote1234]

Well as I very young child (2-4 years old) I always remembered a solder in uniform at my grandmothers house in auburn New York. And that he would be there only on occation ! no one spoke of why he would show up and then leave for long periods of time?. but as I grew a little older 5-6 years of age I found out this soldier and my Hero, was a close relative! "My uncle!" On further investigation I found a foot locker in my grandmothers attic. On "The outside of the locker it was labeled. " United States Marine Corp" "SSTF E.J. Sullivan U.S.M.C.". and all over the top was 57 Chevy 56 Chevy car and truck models. well every time we would visit grandmothers house I would run up into the attic to spend as much time looking through it as I could so I could get to know my hero and uncle better!. each and every time finding " the coolest stuff" zippo lighters, knives, badges, chevrons stripes, commendations, photos of attack jets (F4-Fantoms) with him standing near them and various jungle shots! Every thing a little kid could love. My Hero served in Korea and 3 tours of duty in places called "Chu-Lai," " Da-Nang" "Marble Mountain" Vietnam. I really wanted to get to know this uncle and Hero of mine but at age of 6 yrs old my family and I moved to phoenix AZ. August 1964.

only reading letters he would send my mom now and then. And I had not seen my Hero again until he retired from the United States Marines in June 1974. but then he had spent lots of time at the "VA Hospital", Some times for physical problems caused by agent orange, ect. and some time for other problems! He never told us. . He went through 2 marriages and lots of Budweiser!. but was still my BIG HERO! Over the last 25 years I spent a lot of time with my Hero and really got to know him well. Now I know where I got the love of cars from!! my Hero! I guess you could say we were "Best of Friends"! and with him being a car guy as well. we went to car shows, ect. but with a small % disability retirement pay he could only admire and not partake. Until 18 months ago. The VA re evaluated him and gave him 100% disability. with lots of back pay. But really too weak and sick to build the car he wanted "a "1956 Chevy", June 2013 he bought a 2013 genesis. Big enough for his "oxygen bottle and him". The day he bought it he came by to show me! The first things out of his mouth were
" I just blew away a new SS Camaro!" and, "my car has 429 horse power!!!" again my Hero!!
well my Hero was hospitalized on the 20th of Dec. 2013, had 3 stints installed. only to find out he had to stay in for a Heart Valve replacement surgery on the 26th of Dec. 2013. Over the next 4 days my Hero fought a tough battle.
My Hero passed away Monday December 30th 2013. Due to complications of his surgeries.

I Am picking up my Hero's Ashes on Monday and I will deliver him to the cemetery where he is to be laid to rest.
But not before we do at least ...... " one more burn out! together!!
May GOD Bless my brave Soldier, Uncle, Best Friend and Hero!
SSGT. E. J. Sullivan U.S.M.C. Ret. #1502xxx RIP 6/3/1937---12/30/2013