A Word From the Captain

In the course of life and in death, we encounter people that forever leave a lasting impression upon us. Whether that impression is bad or good, it is there in our memory, and sometimes it burns through to our heart to forever remain a part of us. Much like our fallen comrades James and John, they were the type of people that if you knew them, they would leave that lasting impression upon you. The impression they left with us was one of goodness and mercy.

James Smith was the only teenager to ever enter into my heart in suchaway that many times I considered him as my son and many times he called me dad, in his playful way. He was, and is, a gentleman beyond his years ranking in personality to some of the greatest men known to the history of the Civil War.

John Mattmiller was of the type to lead you to believe that he was rough and ready always. But to the contrary he was a gentle person that would do anything he could to help someone in need. He was someone that I considered my friend and not many people earn that position in my life. John was special to all of us.

They were, in my eyes, the personalities of Robert E. Lee and Nathan B.Forrest. They would want for us all to be the best at whatever we did, but they would want you to have fun doing it. Their motto was "Never a Dull Moment." We must dedicate ourselves to endeavor to make our units the best, as a lasting tribute to those that fell yesterday, those that will fall today, and those that will fall tomorrow. Embrace those near and dear to you, for you know not what tomorrow will bring.

Captain A. Don Martin, Commanding

James and John were taken from us by a senseless act of violence and cowardice. Unfortunately, these crimes have not been solved yet. If there is anyone that has any information about that night, please come forward so that we may put and end to the nightmare. For more information about that dreadful night and who to contact with any leads please visit the following site: http://www.clis.com/crow

Any callers need not leave their name.

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