I remember Robert Worth.
We take a lot for granted out here in Real Texas and across the country. As children we learned of the heroes of the Alamo, San Jacinto, Golidad, and Gonazles. We also learned of the heroes of the United States and to me those heroes are the soldiers who have given their lives, minds, and hearts so others may live free.
My military service time is puny compared to those who gave all. They are the heroes who deserve to be honored not only on Memorial Day, but every day.
Every Memorial Day I take a moment to remember Robert Worth.
He was an All American kid in Big Lake and he and I worked in the backshop of a hot metal newspaper office for my dad. Robert was not as active in sports as I was, but I believe he was more athletic. I saw him do three flips off the low board, an almost impossible thing to do. He had an old car and he was considered a Hot 
Rodder. He could fix anything. I moved in and out of all the cliques in our small school and enjoyed them all. The hot rodders were generally found in a garage somewhere working on their old cars and fixing them up. Robert had an old car that could literally burn rubber for a hundred yards….or more.
After high school, he joined the Navy and was a crew member on a Navy Helicopter. His chopper went down in Vietnam and his young life on earth ended.
We were so young back then. His little wife called me and asked if I would be a pall burier at Robert’s funeral. I said I would. We didn’t know the nuances of words back then, but that word seemed to fit. It has stayed with me always. A pall burier.
I think of those days often and Robert’s face comes to mind. To me, it is the face of Memorial Day, an official day to remember our heroes. I remember them more than once a year.
I have visited The Wall in our nation’s capitol and have placed my hand on Robert’s name. Yes, I personally know others whose names are enscribed there, but Robert’s is the face I choose remember among the many faces.
Click here for a small education on The Tomb of the Unknown. I have witnessed this ceremony and it is one of the most impressive sites in Washington. Enjoy.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
David, I guess all of small town guys and girls have a different perspective on things. There are those who are ready to get away from the smallness and then there are those who carry their small town ways with them for the rest of their lives. I happen to think that if there is a huge crowd of people is coveyed up it is not hard to pick out those who are from the “biglakes”, “rankins”, “midkiffs”,etc.
And I think the one thing that will make these people stand out more than any other characteristic is their patriotism.
Your tribute to Robert Worth was warm, and……well, West Texas.
I too have a friend that never got the opportunity to go to college, get married, and have a family. He went to school at Garden City. He was one of four brothers. And one of the nicest guys one could ever know.
Hey Johnny, good to hear from you. Could that have been Walter Lowe? Yep, he was my bud also although seems like there was someone else from Garden City. He went to school with us over in BL for a while. I also visited his name on the wall. I always choose to remember Robert because we worked together and were so close. Did You Know: Walter made 5 touchdowns in one game we played in. We sent him around the right end or the left end and he just outran everybody else for the score. He was a good’un.
My respects go out to Robert Worth’s family. I did not know him, but am thankful for the sacrifice he made.I did know Judd Kennedy
from Jasper in deep East Texas who made the ultimate sacrifice also in the Vietnam War. Like you, I was a ‘pall burier”. My hat goes off to all who serve, especially those who see combat duty.
I urge everyone to take time on Memorial Day to honor the lives of those who are no longer with us. I miss Judd. He was 19 years old when he died. We buried him on Veterans Day, November 11, 1966.
Thank you for your story. I feel the same way when I think about the 4 short years I was in the Navy. I get a “Thank You” card from my mom on veterans day and she always tell me how proud she is and things like that but veterans day is never really that important to me. I think Memorial Day will always have a deeper meaning to me. I had two friends I went to bootcamp with that didn’t make it off the USS Cole, and another good friend of mine that didn’t make it out of the Pentagon on September 11th. My wife (also a sailor) and I love your stories and letters. Keep up the good work.