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Dennis Dean Loftheim
West Point, 1966
Be Thou At Peace
Posted by Ed Wright on March 13, 2009:
Denny was in a far part of The Corps from me; I knew him but 30 days on our cadet summer training with the 3rd Recon Squadron, 14th Armored Cavalry at Bad Hersfeld in the Fulda Gap of West Germany, facing the Soviets so many years ago in 1964. Yet his image remains so constant: soldier-like, clear-sighted, utterly calm, confident beyond irritation or indifference, intelligent, capable, already the man you'd want backing you up or better, leading you. Such men make an immediate and indelible impression; their loss leaves an unfilled gap even from this far away in time and space. Who better than Shakespeare to send him a song:
"Dirge"
Fear no more the heat o'the sun Nor the furious winter's rages; Thou thy worldly task hast done, Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages; Golden lads and girls all must, As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.
Fear no more the frown o'the great, Thou art past the tyrant's stroke; Care no more to clothe and eat, To thee the reed is as the oak: The sceptre, learning, physic, must All follow this and come to dust.
Fear no more the lightning flash, Nor the all-dreaded thunderstone; Fear not slander, censure rash; Thou hast finished joy and moan: All lovers young, all lovers must Consign to thee and come to dust.
No exorciser harm thee! Nor no witchcraft charm thee! Ghost unlaid forebear thee! Nothing ill come near thee! Quiet consummation have and renowned be thy grave.
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