Eugene Bean, Jr

Hey little brother,
I don't know what took me so long to acknowledge you here.
I have been looking for the photo of you and the python to post up.

You just would not even believe the internet.

I don't know why I didn't get down to Hammond and pay my respects to Mrs Emma Lee and your folks, and kiss your baby daughter. I always intended to do that. How sad it must be for them.

If she reads this one day, I am joining others in telling her that her daddy was a good man (I think India Simpson Arie wrote that song for y'all.). To all of your family I continue to send my thoughts and prayers.

I wish I could go back and change some things.

I remember when you and I looked over the GI Bill home loan information, and how much you looked forward to going back and getting a home for your family.

I think about it every Memorial Day and many times in between.

I wish I had gone out with you that day. Ahh, little brother, I didn't know you couldn't swim. I have spent a lot of time thinking about how it might be different if I had been there. I still can't make sense of it. I remember your service, and how the chaplain had to fly in with another brother from the rear whom you hardly knew, to stand up for you. A SPOON, of all things. They didn't know us, didn't ask us. I guess the chaplain was some kinda racist - heheh. He surely didn't know who your real bro's were.

Geno - Know that these white dudes cried real tears when we lost you. We were your brothers. You are remembered.

I can still hear you saying, "Be cool, dudes," and chuckling because the OIC didn't know how. Save some places in case a few of us make it. I am still trying to find Mitchell.

JJ