Sad News (Civilian thread)

[Reb1842]

Re: Sad News (Civilian thread)

Truly a sad time for our community of reenactors, he will be sincerely missed, my prayers and toughts go out to him and his family.

v/r
Dean Ebner
SWB 27th VA

[87thLady]

Re: Sad News (Civilian thread)

I also wanted to mention that Charles went out of his way so many times to help his friends with whatever they needed. About 5 years ago after I bought my house, I mentioned to him that I wanted to put a garden in so he drove all the way up to my house here in Dover, Pennsylvania and tilled up a 20 X 20 piece of land in which he found many rocks and I've had that garden ever since. In fact, there's tomatoes and canalopes in there right now.

Ms Lorraine
87th PVI

[ftclinchbaker]

Re: Sad News (Civilian thread)

I did not know Charles personally, but he did help me out a lot with some research matter for which im very thankful. He will be sadly be missed. My prayers and sympathies to his family.

[Abrams]

Re: Sad News (Civilian thread)

I got to meet Charles at an event once, and I ate his food and drank his coffee, and lived to tell of it. He made me count the hardtack, but was an easy taskmaster, and his grouchiness had a comfortable feel to it. He struck me as a guy that the statement, "They broke the mold after they made him. Slapped the mold-maker around too!" was probably true. He will be missed.

I am glad I got to meet him, and I am truly sorry for your loss.

[speedybri]

Re: Sad News (Civilian thread)

I was working on a film this past week when I overheard some of the guys talking about this. I was very shocked to hear this. Charles has been in my thoughts all week.
Even though I have not been around the hobby for a while, I would see him every so often around Kara's store and Needle and Thread, and always enjoyed visiting with him.
I'm very sad to hear this, and my thoughts and prayers go out to Bev and Charles' Family.

Sincerely,
Brian Merrick "speedy"

[littleforkranger]

Re: Sad News (Civilian thread)

Hey Charles,

You were always a good friend to me and straightened me out many a time. I'll miss you down here but will catch up with you later. Believe me when I say all those things you taught me about mules and horses stuck. I think you would agree that we had us some high times jawbonin' around the fire while on the campaign. You never let me take myself too seriously and I thank you for that. I still laugh out loud when I think about that time you cussed that fat yank riding that little bitty horse, though it had to be ten years ago. I imagine you're bout to ride that little mule you loved so much. Well friend, I know you're on a good trail now so relax and enjoy the ride. Wardawg.

[pvtbordonaro]

Re: Sad News (Civilian thread)

Friends,
There was a lovely service for Charles today in Hagerstown. I was OK until the folks sang, "Amazing Grace". Then I cried like a baby. Felt better afterwards, though, and I had a chance to talk to folks that knew and loved Charles, and that was fine. My thoughts go out to Bev, who was closest to Charles and so is feeling his loss the most, I'm sure.
-Joe Bordonaro

[smander]

Re: Sad News (Civilian thread)

I'll just say....Hooah

Scott Manderville
GGrandson of PVT Ebbin S. Manderville F Trp, 21st NY Cav
and GGrandNephew of PVT William A. Manderville, KIA outside Atlanta 1864, F Trp, 21st NY Cav

[87thLady]

Re: Sad News (Civilian thread)

I also attended the service and thought it was really nice and very well done. I thought Bev did well by putting Charles into a cook pot as his final resting place although he will be scattered in the future. I do have a picture of the alter if anyone wants to post it here. Just tell me where to send it. It's truly what Charles would have wanted. Nicely done. What truly hit me hard was going back to the bunker and seeing his empty chair at the computer. It's really not fair.

Ms Lorraine

[NoahBriggs]

Re: Sad News (Civilian thread)

What truly hit me hard was going back to the bunker and seeing his empty chair at the computer. It's really not fair.

Yeah, me too. And looking at all the miscellaneous doodads in the garage, too. Still, we managed to look at the bright side of it by wearing the "My Name Is . . ." stickers with various iterations of his name on our chests. :cry_smile

[lesterschumacher]

Re: Sad News (Civilian thread)

Friends..

I and my wife Brenda also attended the service for Charles. Everyone felt the loss but none more than Bev. It was great reconnecting with friends and acquaintences. When Amazing Grace was finished the stew pot lid lifted and Charles said. "You all would make a dead horse run away, Thanks for coming and have a safe journey home. This was Charles. Back at the BUNKER stories continued. One thing frequently said, Charles will be with us many years.

Smooth Seas and a Following Wind Charles

Lester and Brenda Schumacher

[pvtbordonaro]

Re: Sad News (Civilian thread)

Ms. Lorraine,
I would appreciate it if you would send me that picture via email:
beatlefans1@verizon.net
If you would do so, in addition to treasuring the picture, I will post it here for others to enjoy.
I was kicking myself for not having a camera when I saw that display.
Thanks,
Joe Bordonaro

[yeoman]

Re: Sad News (Civilian thread)

Dear Ma'am and family, please accept our sympathy for your loss and understand our prayers and thoughts are with you.

If I may share this soldiers prayer.

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
I was made weak, that I may learn humbly to obey.

I asked God for health, that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need for God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing I asked for
-but everything I had hoped for.

Almost beside myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among men, most richly blessed.

This prayer was found with a southern soldier.

Ma'am, with our respect, Mel and Marie Hadden

[pvtbordonaro]

Re: Sad News (Civilian thread)

Friends,
Courtesy of Ms. Lorraine, attached is a photo of Charles at Rest.
-Joe Bordonaro

[Spinster]

Re: Sad News (Civilian thread)

And so tonight, duty done, fort closed, supper away, sun sinking low, a small group of men and even fewer women walked down a wide sand spit to a long line of rocks and breaking waves.

Behind them, Moultrie. In front of them, Sumter.

They talked awhile.

They cried awhile.

They laughed awhile.

They shared one bar-b-que sammich, one pie, and one bottle of cider.

And left a little bit over to fling in the air.

They wrote in the sand, knowing full and well that the tide would carry it away, as time carries us all.

And after awhile, they walked up the beach and back into Life.