"Empty Chairs at Empty Tables"

Oh my friends, my friends forgive me
That I live and you are gone.
There's a grief that can't be spoken;
There's a pain goes on and on.

Phantom faces at the window.
Phantom shadows on the floor.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will meet no more.

Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me
What your sacrifice was for.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will sing no more...

                        From: Les Miserables

This was sent to me by Scarface 22 in honor of Chatterbox 16.  The helicopter call-signs from their service in Viet Nam were those of Herb Silva and Chuck Fleischer respectively.  Herb and Chuck last met two weeks ago at a regional clinic here in northern California.  Scarface 22 signed off with the Marine tattoo:

SAEPE EXPERTUS, SEMPER FIDELIS, FRATRES AETERNI
"Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever"

Thanks, Herb!

Comments

[Richard Dawson]

In a world bereft of witty, sarcastic and poignant observations, with the passing of our friend and colleague it is a bleak humourless landscape now left for many to ponder in mediocrity.

As a colleague Chuck will be missed for the value of his knowledge, strength of purpose and the excellence he brought out in those with whom he engaged.

As a friend he will not be missed in spirit because he is in every sense embedded in the core of those whom he let get to know him.

While saddened beyond mere words, with your departure Chuck we rejoice in the pain free existence and fortunes that await you on the journey you are now beginning my friend. On these web pages and in our hearts your memory will constantly be on watch! SEMPER FI

[pat smith]

I first met Herb Silva in the 70s in Cleveland Ohio. I was the Regional Director of Instruction, and this was possibly Herb's first regional clinic outside of St Louis. Herb being a U.S. Marine, and myself a British Marine in World War two, we came together like pizza and beer, at least in our case. For the uninitiated the British have had a Marine Corps since 1664. Herb is one of the best things to happen to U.S. soccer in a long time. I am happy to call him my friend, SEMPER FI, and add the Royal Marines' motto: PER MARE, PER TERRAM (by sea, by land).