November 17, 1996
Recon Marines:
Mission accomplished!
On Tuesday, Veterans Day 1996,
at the instigation of Fred Ostrom and the efforts of many sympathetic
supporters, approximately 300 veterans and their families and
friends came together at Sister Spring cemetery near Interlachen,
Florida, to honor our fallen comrade, Pfc Robert H. Jenkins, Jr.,
and to properly mark his grave. Fred's aspirations for this day
were fully met, as were mine. You would have approved also.
Carlos Rainwater, Director of
Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, was the Master of Ceremonies,
and did an outstanding job. After a token clean-up of the grave
site led by Kathryn 'Cat' Mills of Rainwater's staff (the real
clean-up had already been done by Sheriff Taylor Douglas of Putnam
County and some brig residents), Fred delivered an inspirational
address, saying all the right things and directing many of them
toward the young people who attend the middle school named in
Robert's memory. Carlos recognized the donors of the new head
stone, grave cover, and foot stone -- all marble and properly
inscribed. A member of the Jenkins family thanked everyone with
an address laced with trust in Jesus, love, service, and sharing
-- all traits exhibited by Robert. A painting of Robert was donated
by FDVA staffer Sandy Talbot and will hang in the cafeteria at
RHJMS. Ceremonies were closed by a 21-gun salute by the Marine
Corps League Detachment 708, echo taps, and everyone filing by
the grave and leaving small American flags as a border for Robert's
now properly marked grave. The best Veterans Day that I have ever
enjoyed!
Robert's family was in attendance:
Mother Willie Mae, Father Robert H. Jenkins, Sr., sisters Rosalind,
Veronica, and Ruby. His cousin, Tommy Jenkins, was also there.
Major Steve Lowery, USMC(ret.),
team leader of the fateful patrol to Fire Base Argonne, was present,
having traveled from Las Vegas for this conclusion of a very long
saga. Two Medal of Honor recipients were in attendance. Members
of the Marine Corps League, Navy League, Fleet Reserve, Vietnam
Veterans of America, VFW, American Legion, and DAV were there
and decked out. The band from Robert H. Jenkins Middle School
in Palatka provided music for the occassion. Janet Gabuoti, Principal,
and Linda Sheppard, Teacher, are Fred's local friends and were
very much in attendance. Cat Mills of Carlos Rainwater's staff
and a retired US Navy veteran, is to be especially commended for
her efforts in organizing and effecting this grand occasion. The
good people of Putnam County are also to be commended for their response
in taking this opportunity to prominently honor a real treasure
to their community: Congressional Medal of Honor recipient PFC
Robert H. Jenkins, Jr., 3'd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine
Division, United States Marine Corps.
Well done, Fred!
Keith Huddleston
Greater love hath no man than this,
that he lay down his life for
his friend.