Posted by BG RM Ong (Ret) on January 21, 2016:

When I entered West Point, I was having a hard time with the English language, particularly the SPOKEN stuff. I did not understand the American accent of my classmates and they did not understand my Filipino accent either. I was fluent in written English and kept my grades up, so I was often in the same Section/classroom as Roger. Roger seemed to have no problem with understanding my accent, and we soon became fast friends. I learned to follow the American speech nuances and also learned to speak slowly and distinctly, following Roger's advice. We parted ways after graduation, and went to our separate lives as career officers in the US Army and Philippine Army. I was delighted to meet him several times after graduation Like in Vietnam when he passed by the Philippine Army camp-- he was the Escort Officer of Martha Raye. On one of my rare visits to West Point, I met him when he was a Professor (of English, I think). Roger and I were members of the USMA '63 Forum after retirement, and we had many interesting exchanges together on the Internet. Roger was always full of ideas and opinions and contributed to the lively atmosphere of the Forum. We in the Forum will miss his presence and inputs. Farewell, amigo! And now my final salute to an English hive! Brigadier General Ramon M. Ong (Retired) Armed Forces of the Philippines

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