Not Fade Away

Charles Miklaucic

I still remember the refrain of one
of the most popular barrack ballads of that day
which proclaimed most proudly that
"old soldiers never die; they just fade away"
--Gen, Douglas MacArthur
____________________

Ranger must travel back to childhood for this not easy entry.

Charles Miklaucic died September 1, 2010. He was a fine example of WW II soldierly conduct, having served as a Combat Infantryman in the European theatre. He was twice wounded, once in the Battle of the Huertgen Forrest and once while attempting to cross the Ludendorf Bridge on the Rhine at Remagen.

He was the father of one of my best friends while growing up in Cleveland, and I found him to be a role model and a positive influence on all of our young lives. Both of his sons later served faithfully in their war, Vietnam.

Mr. Miklaucic was a quiet, sober, gentle man. He was not a professional soldier but he fought as one, and then returned to his domestic life. Miklaucic was the consummate Citizen Soldier, and the death of these old soldiers marks the passing of an era, both for this country and for a certain mindset of soldier

My condolences to the family.