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WHAT WE REMEMBER...</p>
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What we remember of our son</p>
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None other but God would know;</p>
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'Tis not the medals...the citations...</p>
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Which would his valor show.</p>
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We do not mourn the soldier—</p>
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That was his own world apart;</p>
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We treasure only the joy and love</p>
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He etched upon our hearts.</p>
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We remember the gentleness</p>
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With which he filled each day;</p>
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The loving thoughts which he expressed</p>
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In his own peculiar way.</p>
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We recall his quiet strength</p>
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When troubled times prevailed —</p>
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We feel anew his gentle touch,</p>
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His love which never failed.</p>
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And though our hearts will many times</p>
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Be drenched in silent tears,</p>
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We will remember...and remembering,</p>
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Reconcile the lonely years.</p>
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<em>— Mother and Dad</em><br />
<br />
<em>John Thomas Hoskins</em> was many things to his family, friends, and comrades-in-arms. John was an inspiration, a leader, a true friend, and most of all, a soldier. He was born 7 November 1943 in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, completed elementary school in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and graduated from high school in Sulphur, Louisiana, in 1961. John received honors as the outstanding ROTC cadet at McNeese State College, Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he attended one year. He was appointed to the Class of 1966 at the Military Academy by the late Congressman T. A. Thompson.</p>
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John’s close friends at the Academy knew him as “Hos.” His understanding of people and life in general made John an exemplary cadet. He was a trusted source of advice, an inspiring competitor, and an emulated leader. John received the Capps runner-up trophy in the Corps Boxing Tournament for three years. He was a key member of his Class, and as such held many positions of leadership at the Academy. In all aspects of his four years at West Point, John was a credit to the Cadet Gray.</p>
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After graduation, John attended Airborne and Ranger Schools, and then voluntarily deployed to Vietnam with the 9th Infantry Division. During his fifteen months in Vietnam, John served as Infantry Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Airboat Platoon Leader, and Infantry Company Commander. He was highly decorated for heroism, achievement and service. Solely through John’s diligent efforts and imaginative prowess, the Airboat Platoon came to be used in Vietnam as an effective fighting and reconnaissance force. John’s final command became, through his professional expertise, an elite Infantry company which specialized in night missions. John’s accomplishments are typical of his selfless dedication and contributions to the Army he loved so well. John was promoted to Captain posthumously.</p>
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Outwardly, he was John the extrovert, tall but not imposing. Inwardly, he possessed a quality of gentleness found in few men of his stature. John had great faith in his fellow man, and was compassionate. His compassion is revealed in his last poem...</p>
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I am washed in the blood of my men;</p>
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Their lifeless bodies I have lifted from the ground</p>
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And carried in my arms.</p>
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Their blood has stained my skin and</p>
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My muscles have strained under their limp weight.</p>
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I am detached and intermingled,</p>
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My eyes as theirs look but do not see;</p>
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My clothing is wet with their blood and flesh</p>
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And my mind is numb with the sight of their death.</p>
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I am dead with them.</p>
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I am washed in their lives.</p>
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<em>(JTH—Vietnam, April 1968)</em></p>
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John is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dwight L. Hoskins, Sulphur, Louisiana; a sister, Mrs. Lonnie Poison, Cherokee, Oklahoma; and a brother David L. Hoskins, Shreveport, Louisiana.</p>
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Our loss, as John’s family, friends, and cohorts, is irrecoverable; our loving dedication of him to the Long Gray Line is with quiet, faithful sincerity...</p>
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The night is still.</p>
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Silent rests the City of Stone, and</p>
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Shadows of gray ride on the plain.</p>
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As the young soldier sleeps.</p>
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Forgotten is the life of iron,</p>
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Distant is the echo of bugles</p>
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And the call of glory and death.</p>
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For he is at rest, and his soul—</p>
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His soul is home.</p>
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<em>(JTH)</em></p>
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<em>— Classmates</em><br />
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