Posted by Bill Bahr, USMA '69 on March 5, 2012:

I didn't know Michael at West Point, but I did have occasion to communicate with him several times this year on the West-Point.org USMA69 Forum. Here is his debut email, just the second that greeted us that auspicious 2012 New Year's Day: 1/1/2012 12:42PM "On this beginning of what is hoped to be a wonderful year and the start of a trend of Beating Navy... There are so many learned minds on this forum and we mostly disagree or agree to disagree. I offer a subject that perhaps we can mostly all agree upon. "Michael" What followed were the following words with appropriate, accompanying pictures: "Age 4: My dad knows everything. Age 6: My dad doesn't know everything. Age 8: Things were different in my dad's time. Age 14: Dude, my dad's antique. Age 21: My old man doesn't know $%^#. Age 25: Dad knows some about this matter, but given his age, that's just normal. Age 30: I think I should ask my dad's opinion about this matter. Age 35: I'd never do anything without asking my dad's opinion first. Age 50: What would my father do? Age 60: My father was such a wise man. Wish he was here now. I'd learn a lot from him." Wish you were here now, Michael. I/we could learn a lot from you! And from the "Howitzer" -- 1969 "Michael William Pettit, Cincinnati, Ohio. G-4 "...he was a tremendous person and an everfaithful friend." "Swimming 4, 3, 2, 1. Infantry." USMA classmate, fellow Forum correspondent, and new-found friend, may you rest in peace....

admin