Date: Sun, 6 Dec 2009 12:45:08 -0500
From: Karl Ernst
Subject: Colonel Gerald Totten, USMC(ret.) – The passing of a hero.
I am, as I know many others are, greatly saddened by the loss of Colonel Totten. It has been my privilege to know him and work with him. I pray that God will look upon him and be kind to him, and give him peace. As a fellow veteran, I honor his service to our nation and the uniform he wore with pride and valor.
Being a former Marine, he is part of a legacy known and respected around the world, of legendary courage, honor, and sacrifice in the defense of freedom. His strength and determination, his sometimes rough and gruff persona, did not always rub everyone the ‘right’ way. But it was his way to get the job done. And he did it well. He served our county as a champion of education, never backing away from the ideal that the ultimate goal of our schools is, first, last, and always, that our children are taught as they deserve to be, that they learn the knowledge and skills needed to be successful as they go forward in life, that they know and understand that dreams can come true.
Let us think of him and say a prayer for Barbara and all his family. Let us also remember him, as I do, as a friend, mentor, counselor, and leader. As to what he might say about his life and his service to us all, I think it would probably be, simply, ..
SEMPRE FI!