Posted by Herbert R. Johnson on June 29, 2007:

Going to the funeral of Thomas A. Forster was a life time event for me. I was privileged to meet the Rooster and his family during our cadet days. I visited the Ranch. Enjoyed the round ups. Even got to be an usher with Fearless Frank Harlem at Tony and Mary Jane's wedding. I attended the wedding of Tony and Ann. I took my most memorable trip with my classmates to Bangkok with Tony. I watched the great race on the beach between Tony's daughter Alica and Fred Easley. Many thanks to Tony, my classmates and West Point for these memories that enriched my life I was the Rooster's roommate at the Artillery Basic officers course. I learned two things there. How to cook Mexican food in an electric skillet..there was no stove. There was not even wall coverings, only two by fours and studs. The studs do not refer to Tony and me. And the Second lesson: The Rooster is the memorable individual. While at Ft. Sill I met a girl at a drive-in restaurant. Judy Williams and her girl friends were in the car next to us. I got to know Judy "very well". Jamie Morgan and Michael "Scratch" Daley got to know the girl friends. The Scratcher ended up marrying Myrna Kay. We used to go to Judy's home and met her father, sister and family. I believe that the Rooster went with us about two times. About forty years later I called the family and inquired about Judy. Mr. Williams at first did not remember me. I jogged his memory about us visiting his home and that Judy and I were very close and that her girl friend married Michael Daley. Still no recall. Then I mentioned that Tony Forster visited with us at least once and helped cook a bar-b-que at the Williams home. WOW..the response was immediate . "Tony...I remember Tony...how's the Rooster!". Tony was memorable. Always was, with whom ever he met. I was not so memorable even though I was the one dating his daughter. Another characteristic of the Rooster is illustrated with this phone call to me about 15 years ago. I could have been an awakened at 4 in the morning with "Hi Herbie, it's the Rooster!". Maybe he got that name for getting up early and crowing to many classmates. I learned at the funeral that I was not the only one awakened with this reveille call. After the wake up and discourse on what classmates were up to, he asked me..."Well Herby, what are you doing?". It was my time to brag about my latest trips to Mexico or a recent cruise or how I was doing in the stock market. After I related my wonderful life experiences, the Rooster then asked again... "No Herby, what are you doing for your community and the world?". I was a bit stunned and then asked myself the same question. What is life all about? Is it just the material or is it about and what you can do with your time here on earth? That afternoon, I got out my lawn mower, weed eater, and did about 4 hours work for my neighborhood. I turned the deteriorating entrance corner of our subdivision into Rooster Park. The next day I called my Senators and Congressman. I am certainly not up to the Rooster's standards, but he did give me a real wake up call. Herb Johnson

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