Posted by BGen Ramon M. Ong (Ret) on November 30, 2004:

How I remember Cadet Palmer Swift Haines: Palmer, you are the second member of Company E2 to pass away. But you were not just a classmate - you were my roommate. I was as close to you as I could have been to anybody. I knew your footsteps, your laughter, your scent and alas, your snore. I also knew your dreams and your druthers, your pets and your peeves. You keenly felt the honor, responsibility and pressure of your role as a 5th generation West Pointer. You were so proud to introduce me to your Dad, already a rising hotshot Major General, and prouder yet about your kid brother who followed your footsteps and the family tradition. You showed a special fascination with the Central Barracks quadrangle and spent hundreds of hours devotedly traversing its surface while perhaps meditating on its historical importance. You were addicted to Joan Baez? folksongs and spent most of our study hours playing her four LP records ceaselessly on your statically-enhanced phonograph, whilst my own thoughts alternated between suicide and homicide. You fared much better in the realm of academics, as compared to your epic adventures with the Tactical Department. Your keen mind needed little extra effort to keep your grades well out of harm?s way. Your study ethic exemplified a fiercely loyal commitment to our E2 motto, ?Facilis venire, facilis exire (Easy come, easy go).? You did it your way and still graduated on schedule with the rest of us. You performed best upon the fields of friendly strife. You were a key member of our Wrestling Team. You had the self-discipline to pare down your weight during winter seasons, and weigh-in successfully, just before each match. Always, I envied your athletic abilities, although the envy might briefly disappear during mealtimes when I enjoyed all the good stuff you purposely denied yourself. But off-season, when your body was back to normal, you still excelled in the other sports because you remained quick, aggressive and tough. And you dearly loved fast sportscars. Your Corvette Stingray and, soon after, your Porsche were your primary sources of pride and joy. I know you would have wanted to spend more quality time with them but, somehow, other circumstances transformed you into a sedate, sedan person. I shall remember most of all your indomitable spirit, your irrepressible optimism. You found a silver lining around every cloud, a window in every wall and a path through every obstacle. We all found your cheerful attitude so infectious and your camaraderie so uplifting when we needed you. We parted ways on Graduation Day and our paths never crossed again. You served your country and I served mine. We finally made contact after our retirement, but only by telephone. I did accept your invitation to visit, but somehow I found no time to travel to that remote place in Texas where your dude ranch is hidden away. I shall forever regret wasting my last chance to see you. You missed a great 40th Reunion, Palmer. We should have shared stories once more at the Company E2 tables in Washington Hall. But never you mind, sooner or later, our complete Class will again reassemble for that ultimate reunion. Until then, have a grand time up there ? that?s where a jet pilot like you belongs. This ends my fading recollections of our Cadet days together. So let me quote our most famous honorary classmate ? ?Thanks for the memories.? And now a final salute to my dear classmate, company mate, roommate and friend! Ray Brigadier General Ramon M. Ong (Retired) Armed Forces of the Philippines

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