Now	Then

USMC Travels:

29 SEP 2006
Hi,

My name is Shawndell Crumback McKinnon, and I'm fairly certain that the Will Crumback listed on your Veterans list was my father.

Unfortunately, he is deceased. He was a Vietnam vet (two tours), and he died in Marysville, CA on 5 or 6 October 1994. I can verify the information with my mother (his widow) to help update your Roll Call page if you'd like. Please feel free to use my email address if that would help. I am very proud of my father's choice to serve this wonderful country, and especially proud that he was a Marine.

Sincerely,

Shawndell McKinnon
merlot4@cox.net
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30 SEP 2006
Shawndell,

Thanks for your note and I am sorry for the loss of your Dad.

Using Google, I find a Captain Crumback in Edzell, Scotland, which was also a unit my Marines rotated through.

Can you or your Mom confirm that your Dad was there, and was a Captain? That would give additional weight to concluding our Will Crumback and your Dad are the same person.

I will update our Roll Call shortly with your information.

God Bless, Semper Fi, and Welcome Home to your Dad, RIP

Rick
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02 OCT 2006
Rick,

Thank you for your kind words and for responding to my email so quickly. That was my dad! My mom is sending me more information (via snail mail), so I should be able to give you the dates he was in Vietnam as soon as I receive them. My father never spoke about Vietnam, but I know it affected him deeply. Thank you so much for what you are doing.

Sincerely,

Shawndell
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02 OCT 2006
Shawndell,

I have spoken with a number of dependents about "what Daddy did in the war." - usually in front of their Dad. Your Dad's quietness fit the mold for almost all of us until the Internet began to bring us together in 1990s. I didn't know your Dad myself but I hope you read the home page and the "knowledge" link in the first paragraph. That should give you a great idea of his mission in Vietnam and in Scotland.

Regarding what I'm doing: I'm healing myself and my Marines by letting them tell there stories in a safe environment to people who understand them - on the Web and during reunions. This is very much a labor of love for me, but thanks.

Perhaps we can put together a paragraph or two about this proud Marine and his family. Maybe even a picture. It could be an open note in our Guestbook. No pressure - just something to think about. If it would cause any pain to you, your Mom or any other relative, I apologize for opening the topic.

God bless,

Rick
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04 DEC 2006
Dear Rick,

I knew it had been awhile since I had emailed you, but I didn't realize it had been 2 months! Time flies...At any rate, my mom sent me my dad's military history, so here are the dates I promised you:

September 1966 - February 1967--5th Comm Bn., Vietnam
February 1967 - October 1967--SU #1, 1st Radio Bn., Danang

I had the opportunity to read your story online--wow! I don't know if I will be able to do as well, but I will try to tell my father's story through the eyes of a daughter. It is going to be difficult because he was such a private person.

You touch so many lives through your roll call page, and I'm just one of the many whose life you have affected positively. If I hadn't Googled my dad's name for the heck of it, I wouldn't have known your site was out there. Once again, I'd just like to thank you for what you are doing.

Sincerely,
Shawndell McKinnon
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23 FEB 2007
Hi, Shawndell,

Regarding updating the site with more of your Dad's story, there is no need. Your self-expression tells the world about your Dad's big heart.

Semper Fi, my friend,

Rick

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