James E. Bigelow

West Point, 1964

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Kent on October 13, 2013:

Rest in well earned blessed peace old Ranger buddy. We never knew each other as cadets, but we became inseparable as Ranger buddies. I would most likely not have passed muster without your selfless support. You were a mountain of a man in all respects in possession of huge reserves of faultless character, physical strength, native intelligence, positivity, optimism, humour, all meshed with boundless energy. At the end of the Benning phase I leapt from a deuce-and-half when ambushed only to land in a rut nearly breaking my ankle. The doctors said I would have to drop back a class. You weren't having any of that and nursed me through the long weekend "just" enabling me to begin the Mountain phase in Dahlonega. You gave up your free time to help me survive with our class. You were my saviour. As to your diminutive size, Bigs, I can never forget Major Feir's hand-to-hand pit and the glee in your eyes when he commanded, "little Ranger, pick-up big Ranger and run around MY PIT!" Your leap into my arms reminded me of the cartoons of Baby Hugo. I managed about three paces before we collapsed in a sawdust heap of giggles. I think we got 75 push-ups on Feir's rocks for that. Your time on earth was well invested old buddy. I pray we will meet again, and if/when so, I know it will be as if time never passed. Until then, be thou at peace Bigs. Kent Pietsch

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