Hello- my name is Shannon. I am proud and honored that Paul has asked me to join the forces here at " Bravo Battery 1st Bn. 12th Marines as the Survivor Relations Officer." Daddy would want me here.
I am a survivor. My Daddy, Dennis Hartley was not killed in action ( he just recently passed in an automobile accident) but he never stopped fighting that war. The battles he fought were not combat as they were in Viet-Nam ( well maybe in a bar once in a while ) but the mental, physical, and emotional battles he fought daily seemed to have kept a part of him there.
Daddy joined the Marine Corps right out of high school. And up until the day he was taken from this Earth he stood proud as a Marine! As the daughter of a Marine Corps Viet-Nam Veteran, I have the seen the pain and sorrow in his eyes at the loss of his "Brothers" that never made it home. A part of him feels responsible as many vets do. This is a poem Daddy wrote......
Left home at nineteen, almost a man.
Went to basic training, almost a man.
Went to war, almost a man.
Went into battle , almost a man.
Lost some buddies, almost a man.
Cried for the friends who would never be men.
D. Hartley
U.S.M.C. 1966-1970
Daddy always said" When I die I know I am going to Heaven, beacause I have already been to hell."(referring to Viet-Nam) It has been so heartwrenching for me knowing that I will never see him or hear his voice again. These men have left us here and as hard as it is for us- we must carry on. I am sure that those of you who have lost a father,son, brother, husband, sister, friend have all kinds of questions about your loved ones final moments. I too have many questions about Daddys final moments. I urge anybody with questions to please contact me and I will do all that I can to get you those answers. These men bonded and formed a brotherhood, essentially connecting us as family.
Daddy found Paul Marquis via the internet. They were in Nam together in 1967 and had planned on reuniting this November. Joining the ranks here I know has put a smile on Daddys face and mine. I can hear him now, " That's my Punkinhead." (His nickname 4 me).
Just being able to log on and look at photos and chatting with Paul and all of you has been great. Hearing stories about Daddy and finding out all that I can makes me feel better. Yes, I laugh and cry when I hear these stories but this is how we (or at least me) deals with being a survivor. Keeping his memory alive, as he kept those KIA & those MIA all these years lets me know he will NEVER be forgotten. Neither will your loved ones be forgotten.
I will do my best to answer any and all questions. Don't hesitate to contact me, even if it's just to say hello.
Daddy- I will do you and your Brothers and their families proud. You and your Brothers have done me proud for 34 years. If given the choice when I was born I couldn't have nor would I have wanted to call anybody else Daddy! I stand tall and proud knowing that God let me have the finest of men as my Father...... A
UNITED STATES MARINE
MAY GOD BLESS
&
WATCH OVER YOU-
SHANNON "DENISE" SMITH
Paul Marquis
Web Master
I AM A SURVIVOR
Shannon Smith Survivor Relations Officer
with Dad Dennis Hartley
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