Bullet
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2008
- Messages
- 986
Just found out some tragic news. You're all probably aware of the attack last week on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, and the fact that US Marine lives were lost.
Well, I knew the UMSC Lt Col who was killed in action that day, VERY well.
Sad News Here
Lt Col Chris "Otis" Raible, USMC. He was my counterpart on the USMC HQ staff also working F-35 issues. Saw Otis practically everyday in the course of our duties. Great guy, great Marine, great all-around American whom I had the privilege to call comrade in arms and friend. He taught me, once again, that Marines do have a great sense of humor to go along with a great warrior perspective. Working with him, we became good friends who shared the mysery of working in this building on a program that never seemed to be going smoothly.
His last week here in the building,as we said our infomral good-byes as he prepared to take over his own Harrier squadron, we shared some beers and some laughs about life in the Beltway and the F-35 program. As I shook his hand that night in my final "best of luck to you, kick butt and take names", I distinctly remember telling him how jealous I was that he had the chance to once again take to the skies in the defense of this great country, while I stayed behind, retired and stuck to a desk job. "You lucky dog", I also seem to remember telling him.
My toast to you Otis. The world will be a little greyer with your passing. You were a true professional, a dedicated warrior, and a great friend. I will be there at Arlington to pay my respects the day you are finally laid to rest.
Semper Fi.
A sad, sad day for me.
Well, I knew the UMSC Lt Col who was killed in action that day, VERY well.
Sad News Here
Lt Col Chris "Otis" Raible, USMC. He was my counterpart on the USMC HQ staff also working F-35 issues. Saw Otis practically everyday in the course of our duties. Great guy, great Marine, great all-around American whom I had the privilege to call comrade in arms and friend. He taught me, once again, that Marines do have a great sense of humor to go along with a great warrior perspective. Working with him, we became good friends who shared the mysery of working in this building on a program that never seemed to be going smoothly.
His last week here in the building,as we said our infomral good-byes as he prepared to take over his own Harrier squadron, we shared some beers and some laughs about life in the Beltway and the F-35 program. As I shook his hand that night in my final "best of luck to you, kick butt and take names", I distinctly remember telling him how jealous I was that he had the chance to once again take to the skies in the defense of this great country, while I stayed behind, retired and stuck to a desk job. "You lucky dog", I also seem to remember telling him.
My toast to you Otis. The world will be a little greyer with your passing. You were a true professional, a dedicated warrior, and a great friend. I will be there at Arlington to pay my respects the day you are finally laid to rest.
Semper Fi.
A sad, sad day for me.