Drifter, has passed

[DMZ-LT]

Sorry to report that Drifter , Roger , as reported at Leatherneck.com , died this morning. The fireman who came to the house to take Roger to the hospital saw all his Marine stuff and told Roger he was a Viet Nam Marine too and gave him a thumbs up. His wife Ellie and the kids are reported to be OK as can be. If anyone could find more info about arrangements and addresses it would be appreciated. I will miss his posts. God bless us one and all. Peace to Roger and his family :ai:

[catman]

I pray for God's hand to lead the way for Ellie and kids. I pray that he welcomes Roger into his kingdom, another warrior for the Lord's army.

Trav

[Desdichado]

No damn good. No damn good at all. :( I enjoyed reading his stuff, and he was one damn proud Marine.

[SEATJERKER]

...The good die young,...

..."May he rest in peace",...

...

[SuperScout]

You were one of my friends.
You were one of the best.
You were the very essence of a Marine.
You will always be remembered.
I already miss you.

Love,
Brice

[David]

Very sad news here. Rodger was very active on many military sites and will be missed greatly. We will be praying for his family. Jerry, the owner of leatherneck.com, has said there will be a memorial chat held for Rodger sometime soon and I will post the date here when I get it. God bless you Rodger, I know you are in a better place.

[David]

Every morning when I would update the "This day in history" section of the home page Rodger would be there with me posting to the Marines forum. As I updated the home page to check the format of each new entry I would see a new post from Rodger. This had been going on morning after morning for as long as I can remember on the site. I will miss him working along side me.

[Bill Farnie]

This is truly sad. In my short time on the PF I have enjoyed his posts. I will miss them. He really lived up to the Marine Motto , Semper FI.

A sharp hand salute.

[Timothy R. Kuhr]

There's just

[Timothy R. Kuhr]

There's just
Nothing to say. At least the streets will be well-guarded.

[David]

Here is the thread at leatherneck.com

http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13162


Here is a link to the military.com thread

http://forums.military.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=78919038&f=69719858&m=10210531


Here is also a link to Rodger's personal website

http://www.geocities.com/thedrifter001/


The original webhost of his site has closed but with Ellie's permission his site has been added to the Military Website Archive

http://www.patriotfiles.com/archive/thedrifter/

[MontanaKid]

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop that steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-laden bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

[MarineAO]

He will be greatly missed by all on many sites.
My prayers will be going out to his Family.
Semper Fi Drifter! We will not Forget You.

[Keith_Hixson]

So very sad to hear of his passing.

We shared many a pm together. He was my friend. It my hope that we can in someway contact the family and let them know how much we enjoyed and appreciated Roger.

Keith

[b3196]

Today, my prayers will go out to Rodger and his family
Bob K

[formergrunt70]

Just very sad to hear that. Only knew Him for a short while but enjoyable to have met on the forum. he will be missed. Blessing to he and the Family.
Topp

[Tamaroa]

I will miss his posts. His heart was always in the right place and his posts were always a pleasure to read. One good Marine he was!!

Bill

[phuloi]

I believe that God has a special place for Fallen Warriors in Heaven,and we know that you are there.We will miss you here,but we also realize that your battle is over on earth and take comfort in the fact that you now reside with Him.

Ellie,may God bless and comfort you and the family and bring peace to you in this difficult time.

With Love.
Griz & Arrow

[Dragon Lady]

Oh Man!

I'll miss his chats. He taught me so much. His knowlege of history, first hand and other wise, was invaluable!

My heart is breaking for missed opportunities. My prayers for the family.

DL

[the humper]

Has been assigned to another duty station!!!! He is now with Chesty guarding the gates so we can follow!!!!!!
SF
NC

[MORTARDUDE]

My prayers go to his family. Rest in Peace Marine. Semper Fi.

Larry

[VIETNAM 1968]

Rest in Peace Brother. I just know you are in a far better place now then before your passing. You have received orders for a very long PCS where you will be guarding the rest of us until we also are permitted to join you.

Your creator has issued a big WELCOME HOME and I just know your new Duty Station is in Paradise.

My most sincere sympathy to your entire Family.


VIETNAM 1968

[ArtySgt]

My regards to his Family and feel deep sense of loss.

[BLUEHAWK]

Oh
My
God

Drifter, drifter, drifter... ye be gone from this place...

Oh
My
God

not now, not now

See ya, by and by

:a: Semper Fi...

[frisco-kid]

The Patriot Files, and the other Veteran Sites that this energetic Marine contributed to, will be considerably poorer for his absence. As alot of others, I have enjoyed and learned from Rogers posts for a few years here on Patriot Files.

YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISSED, MARINE.

SEMPER FIDELIS

[Seascamp]

On the quarter deck, Boatswain?s pipe away. Salute, Marine departing.

Scamp

:(

[sn-e3]

The people on this site just lost a true veteran, a proud Marine and a very good man. I'll rest easyier knowing he's with his friends guarding the gates of heaven waiting to present arms as we pass over to the final roll call. Rest in Peace Roger

[melody1181]

Praying for his family.

[wrbones]

It has been years since I've felt this depth of loss.

There is a hole in my heart where Drifter used to be...

Save me a good spot inna barracks Staff Sergeant Alfano, will ya?

Semper Fi, Brother.

[Hoyin]

I am so sad to hear this..my heart goes to his family. When we wrote I always learned something from him, he was a good man and I for one will miss him.

[1CAVCCO15MED]

Thank you, Rodger for being my friend. Thank you for making a lot of old vets lives a little better. The world is better because you were in it.

[thedrifter]

Thank You


Just catching up on all the emails and PM's through all my tears .....Been a little busy around here trying to set up for Roger's Final Resting Place.....Haven't sleeped in 2 days, and my body is wearing down.......So I will try to get some sleep that I will be able to post Roger's Final Orders.....A few more details need to be in placed.....
All I can say Roger is In Peace Now..He has been fighting this cancer since Nov..Roger was a Fighter to the end...A True Marine....Who I Loved.....The children and I are trying to function as much as we can...He taught us to be Strong....We are trying just a little hard at this time........Will talk with you later....

Ellie
Rodger Jr, Kris, Tony, and Pam

[sn-e3]

Your not alone ellie, were here for you just ask. and we'll do what we can.

[SEATJERKER]

...and prayers are with you, and yours,...

...A second on what Chris said from all of us,...

...

[DMZ-LT]

Your a strong woman Ellie , keep movin. Roger is and was loved and respected by many. Prayers for you and the children. Peace

[thedrifter]

Still working on other details....but here is what I got.....

I was just informed the Roger's name will be added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Philadelphia...at Penns Landing


Rowland-Myers Funeral Home, Inc

7013-15 Torresdale Ave.

Philadelphia, Pa 19135

215-624-3535

Mon. March 15, 2004

9:30-11:00 AM


Military Honors

Burial Right Afterwards

Sunset Memorial Park

Phila.Pa. 19116



Ellie, Rodger Jr., Kristiana, Anthony, and Pamela

[39mto39g]

PM me with his hometown and his name and date it happened and I will get you the Fire run report , Now I may not send it all to ya because of medical laws but I will tell ya what happened and who the fireman was.

Ron

[DMZ-LT]

Ron I don't know where he lived except PA. Sorry

[Dragon Lady]

Would the family prefer a donation made to a charity in lieu of flowers? If so, could someone please post that info.

We would like for others to know just how Roger affected our hearts.

Ellie, if you read this just know that we will always be here day or night if you need to talk. Sometimes what sounds like rambling is actually very good therapy. Just ask Keith, I'm sure he would agree. Many of us have lost loved ones and can certainly share the burden. You don't have to do this alone. Be strong, but don't try to be a hero. Its okay to need to rely on others. You'll pick it back up and move along when you are ready.

Roger knows how much you love him still.

DL

[David]

A memorial fund has been set up by leatherneck.com to offset the cost of the funeral. Donations can be made on our home page or on leatherneck.com's homepage.

[Dragon Lady]

Thanks David!

[thedrifter]

Thank You
I want to thank all of you who have given your support to my mom and my family. I know my mom greatly apreciates it, as do I. For each post someone writes about my dad, my family grows that much stronger. All of you will be in my heart forever. I know my dad is looking down and thanking all of you for what you are doing.
Thanks Again
Sincerely,
Pam

[Stick]

Pam you are right and we haven't been looked down on by a finer man. He's up there watching over all and we owe the thanks to him for the time and wisdom that he shared with us.

[catman]

Pam...your father was greatly loved by us here. He shared his wisdom and was never afraid to bear his soul.

Know that we are here and don't be afraid to come around when you need us.

Trav

[Boats]

I've sent Ellie some money via Paypall I hope it helps and I wish her the very best. The Drifter will be missed as are so many others who have moved on.

My sympathies to the family - he will be missed.

My Respects.

[crew]

I was very sad to learn of this news, posted my sympathy on leatherneck.com....again, my regards to Ellie and her family, brothers and friends...may God keep you strong and may Roger rest with his brothers..he joins ones that I have loved and lost and our Heavens are surely guarded now......Semper Fi....a candle burns in his memory......

[Leobold]

I didn't know The Drifter well. We always seemed to post behind each other, but I never really knew the man. Looking back, I realize what he did. I've been reading posts in Leatherneck.com and here since I heard the news.

He always had a kind word for people when they were down. And he could make you laugh like no other. He made you feel that he was laughing with you, not AT you.

I didn't know him well, but I feel his loss all the same.

[MissleMonkey28]

Hello,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May the Lord be with you in this hectic time. God bless
Greg

[BLUEHAWK]

We leave nobody on the field.

[nang]

So deeply sorry. Can't think of anything profound to say, except I enjoyed conversing with him and reading his many posts. God Bless you Drifter. My prayers are with his loving family also.

[HARDCORE]

We send our sincerest condolences to the family of 'the drifter' [Roger]!

Rick, Brenda and Family

[thedrifter]

Our children and I are deciding on a few of Roger's Favorite things to be Placed in his new sleeping quarters....
I will be including all the Replies of those of Your Thoughts and Prayers...That Roger can carry with him...close to his heart Everything that We know He Enjoyed in Life.....

I'm asking Permission ....If Anyone does not want to Please notify me by PM or email...through Roger's Name......

Thank You

Ellie, and Roger's Marine Brats.....

[reeb]

I posted here yesterday, but for some reason , it didnt go through.

Gonna miss you Drifter.

My prayers are with your wife and kids and family.



http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org

Farewell.

reeb and Karen

My final SALUTE !!!!!!!!!

[reeb]

Sorry, wrong site, try this :

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/movie/taps.wav

[reeb]

Sorry again,

Just forget the site.

I was trying to get this thing to play TAPS for Drifter, but cant do it, but he will be missed.

Sorry for the goof up on such an important page.

reeb..

[Andy]

Haven't visited the site in a bit. Very sad to hear Drifter is no longer with us in body, but he is in soul. It's been said a person never dies till he is forgotten, it will be a long time before drifter is forgotten. By then we'll be with him.

May his wife and family each think of a very funny story involving Roger. May they keep that in mind on March 15th. May he leave his loved ones with a collective smile. May they remember him with good thoughts.

Till our next assignemnt my friend.

Andy

[thedrifter]

If you would like to sign the Guess Book.....Please Do.....

http://www.legacy.com/philly/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=2019111

Love

Ellie

[darrels joy]

This is a poem Dedicated to the Marines that have given their life for our country

THE FINAL INSPECTION


The Marine stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The Marine squared his shoulders and
said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God,
"Step forward now, you Marine,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
--------------------
Sorry we didn't post sooner. He was appreciated and will be missed.

SFC Darrel & Darrel's Joy

[BLUEHAWK]

Beautiful, DJ...

[exlrrp]

God Bless
James Worth

[Westloch]

I am a fairly new member and logged in today after an e-mail to 2 pm's from the Drifter. He seemed like a great guy. i only wish i had gotten to know him better.
To his friends and family, I am truely sorry for your loss.
God Speed and Semper Fi, Drifter! :b: