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This epitaph marks the final resting place of one of the most cherished members of the Class of 1969. He is gone, but memories of Guy Hester will be a part of our class as long as our class has a heritage.</div>
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<em>Guy Hester</em>, the little fellow from Mississippi who lived in the 4th Regiment, touched a great many of us with his friendship, his love, his cheerfulness, and his ready wit. Contagious in his enthusiasm about life, Guy could cheer us when Gloom Period shrouded us in depression, and academics caused us to despair. Guy was a worker, a contributor, one who would go with any of us the "extra mile.” None of us knew him long enough, but the truly unique aspect of his brief existence on this earth was how many of us called him a friend and brother.</div>
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The son of a career Air Force officer, Guy was born in Florida on 15 October 1945 and lived in several places before finally coming, by his own admission, to the only place that felt like home, Winona, Mississippi. Here, Guy completed high school in 1964 and met his future bride, Elsie Lynn Holder, the “little woman” of whom we heard him speak so fondly and so often.</div>
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During his school days, Guy excelled in track as a miler. Once, while living in California where his father was stationed, his team competed against the prison team from San Quentin. Guy won the mile run that day, and the prison newspaper referred to him as the "guttiest little fellow” at the meet. This courage, this desire, this willingness to give his all characterized Guy before we ever knew him as a classmate. After moving to Winona, Guy risked his life for one of his friends. While fishing, the boat overturned and a friend was in danger of drowning. Guy swam to him and held him. His friend told Guy to just let him go. Guy’s reply: “If you go down, we’ll both go down.” Guy even then was willing to sacrifice himself for those in need of help.</div>
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Guy graduated from high school in Winona in 1964, a year ahead of most of us. He received an offer of a track scholarship to Mississippi College following graduation and decided to give life at this church-run school a try. Guy returned home in two days. He was not ready to leave Winona and Elsie Lynn just yet. He attended Holmes Junior College in Goodman, Mississippi for one semester, applied to West Point, and became a member of our Class of 1969.</div>
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As branch selection approached for us in 1969, Guy faced a dilemma. He wanted to become an Air Force pilot, and as the son of a career Air Force officer, he could. He also felt, however, that his country needed him as an infantry officer. Vietnam was the issue for our country and our class then, and Guy believed that serving in the infantry in Vietnam was for him the "harder” right. He volunteered for that duty.</div>
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His short career following graduation included Airborne School, the Infantry Officer’s Basic Course, and Ranger School. While learning to parachute, Guy broke his wrist on his fourth practice jump. True to character, he refused to have it examined until he made his fifth jump and qualified as a parachutist.</div>
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Guy returned to Winona after jump school and made Elsie Lynn his bride. Bringing her to Fort Benning, he completed the rest of his schooling, and then left for Fort Riley, Guy’s first duty station.</div>
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Guy and Elsie Lynn were at Fort Riley for about four months when the time arrived for Guy's departure to Vietnam. Completing the Jungle Operations Training Course in Panama before going over, Guy was able to return to the States for a brief, and final, visit with Elsie Lynn. Assigned to the America! Division, Guy became a recon platoon leader for Company E, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry.</div>
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On the afternoon of 1 October 1970, while en route to a night defensive position, a concealed enemy explosive device was detonated, wounding Guy and four members of his 18-man force. Though seriously hurt, Guy denied himself medical aid in order to direct his men to defensive positions and to call for a medical evacuation helicopter. En route to the 91st Evacuation Hospital at Chu Lai, Guy lost consciousness forever. During the evening of 8 October 1970, Guy died.</div>
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For reasons unknown to us, Guy had a premonition of his death. The poem which begins this article was selected by him for his epitaph. Guy accepted his “calling” and willingly faced his death, and we know from his chosen statement that he will rejoin our ranks as we form for our final roll call.</div>
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As we continue on this earth, let us remember Guy as the "gutty little fellow” who cheered us and warmed us and showed us the real meaning of friendship. He left for us an example of service and selfless devotion that will always be the standard by which greatness can be measured. His brief presence here was a true gift of God—one that we will cherish always until we meet him again.</div>
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