Posted by Harry E Soyster on July 21, 2010:

Jay and I were in adjacent companies (L-2 and M-2) at WP so went to class together, saw each other in formation and on the stoops of barracks. We both went Artillery and then to the basic officers course together and to the Corporal (a surface to surface missle) Officers Course and ended up in sister battalions in Vicenza, Italy. We rented a lovely villa together overlooking the city. We both had new red Porsche convertibles. Jay grew up in Philadelphia and did not get a drivers license until he graduated from WP. Twice, maybe three times, I was notified that Jay was in the hospital following an accident and I went to get his car in the right garage and Jay into a military hospital if required. He was a survivor. He led a military convoy once in his Porche in Northern Italy and saluted his surprised battalion commander who transferred him to a nuclear security job. Because of the 24/7 requirements he was given time off occasionaly to visit Venice. There, as a regular at the famous Harry's Bar, he charmed all of Venice to include Peggy Guggenheim of Museum Fame. We took Peggy to the opera in Verona with her riding between us in my tiny Porsche. We had so much fun together but managed to work hard at our jobs. We saw each other for the last time at our 50th reunion. My wife, Joyce, often talked about his thoughtfulness during that time. He was a special guy and it is hard to think of him gone. Jay, you sometimes took "the road less traveled." I am so glad I shared some of that road with you. RIP Ed

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