George Alden Sundlie

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Joseph D. Formick on November 3, 2010:

I met Alden when he and I both were Boy Scouts in Salem, OR. Alden was almost a "driven" individual; constantly striving for perfection. He excelled as a citizen, embodying the ideals of a Christian youth; and he personified the characteristics of one who endeavored to live up to the tenants of the scouting creed. Alden was one of the most unselfish friends I ever had the good fortune to know. He and I both dreamed of becoming West Point cadets - he attaining that goal with great distinction;(and also qualifying himself as an Air Force Pilot) I failed to qualify academically for the honor, although I did twice qualify for an appointment to the academy. In the final analysis. He was just the better man. The realization of that fact was never a source of envy, but of pride in the comfort of knowing that Alden was my friend. Toward the terrible conclusion to what had started out to be a storybook life, Alden, Sally and their baby joined Marcia, my wife, and me on a picnic/swimming excursion to the Little North Fork of the Santiam River. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves swimming, sunning, frolicing, riding the strong current down the cool river; and, of course, eating. It was a wholesome and invigorating experience as well as one the memory of which I will forever cherish. He was killed only two days later.

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