I remember Jesse Penna today


Jesse was a Navy Corpsman serving with the Marine Corps in Viet Nam. He lost his life serving his country and his fellow man. It was 1968 and Jesse and I would sit in the barracks and sing along with Janis Joplin "Piece Of My Heart" We were a mess. I remember him today and many other days. I thank God that I am home today free and healthy and with my family. I remember all who served and didn't make it home. God bless America.
rec
I respect and thank you for serving our country.
My youngest son is an Airborne Ranger with the 101st and will be returning to Iraq for his second tour of duty in October.
Again, thanks and sorry for the loss of your friend.
Art
Great post. I remember my Dad today- and the countless other souls who died in service of this country.

I'm also remembering a guy in my neighborhood when I was a kid- Jimmy Bordeaux. About 8 years older than me, Jimmy taught me to play football. Jimmy died in Vietnam in 1967, a very proud Marine.

May God truly bless the families of all service men and women tonight.
It's been another year Jesse, you are still in my heart. Semper Fi my brother.
Sitting here playing Piece of My Heart for you Jesse. What a song! I miss you and wish you were here. Too many years Jesse, we were so young. I pray for all who went and those who didn't come back. I still believe we did the right thing and I know the men over there today believe the same.

Somehow the music makes it all easier. I raise my glass to you and play Janis one more time. We could never hit those high notes could we?
We salute you, brothers. May the Lord have mercy on your souls. Thanks to all of you.
Thank you Jesse, Janis is playing, I don't care how many years it's been I'll never forget. Thank you all that served and all that waited and supported us, we all share a Piece Of My Heart.
Brother Jesse, another year, miss you more with each passing year. Remember how we loved the music? There will never be another Janis. Thank you for all that served and waited for us to come home. I'll play "Piece Of My Heart" for all of us tonight.
I'll never forget Jesse, the years are coming fast, the hair is gray and the children have children but I'll never forget our friendship. It was 42 years ago this fall that we listened to Janis and sang so out of tune. I miss you my brother.
my grandpa (RIP) was a WW2 vet who was in the Normandy landing. lived a grand long time, died in his late 70s with family around, and influenced all of us tremendously.

i think what a fine man he was, and then i think of when he was a young man, he was serving with other fine men, but some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice for us. great men who never got the chance to have a family, a future, anything---only sacrifice.

its good to spend time thinking of the men who didn't make it back. what they did, what they gave, and all for us.
Another year Jesse, I promise you I will never forget. I think of you more with each passing year. I will play Janis tonight for you and for me.
I recently received an e-mail of what dead rock stars would look like today if they would have survived. There was one of Janis and I immediately thought of you Jesse. I can still see her singing Piece of My Heart and I can still see you and me singling along with her. On this special day like many other days I remember you my friend.
Wonderful and heart filled post. Rec, your faithful tributes are inspiring. I am about to head out the door to visit my father's grave, WW II vet. I will lay some flowers and take a picture for my 94 year old mother who is unable to go to the cemetery.
Elton John's song, "Talking Old Soldiers" comes to mind this morning, a poignant lyrical portrait of an old man whose long time comrades in arms have gone on to the world to come.

"I know what they're saying son
There goes old man Joe again
Well I may be mad at that
I've seen enough to make a man go out his brains
Well do they know what it is like
To have a graveyard as a friend
'Cause that's where they are boy, all of them
Don't seem likely I'll get friends like that again"

Thank God for those who have given their "last full measure of devotion"
I recently saw Bob Dylan and one of his encores was "Blowin In The Wind" It struck me how relevant the song was still today. Thinking of you today Jesse, I will never forget...
Another Memorial Day Jesse, I remember you this day and many others. Recently saw a Janis special on PBS and she sang "Piece of My Heart" I remembered our fractured version we sang together when the song was new. I'll never forget you Jesse.
Another song Jesse "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" Thinking of you today my brother. I promise I will never forget all the days of my life.
I am hopeful that your buddy is up there or wherever looking out for you and watching over you. Rhyno's words are soo true. My dad is 91 and was at Pearl Harbor for the clean up after 12/7/41  -  he still talks about it and the guys he was with. He doesn't remember what he had for breakfast - be has never forgotten those friends. Rec - live your life well for your buddy .....peace   
Jesse ,my high school is building a Viet Nam Memorial to honor the boys of the 60's who didn't make it home. There were 22 of them from my high school with my class, 1966 having the highest number.They will  have a veteran's wall. I am going to place your name and my name on separate bricks. I know on a Summer's night if one listens closely they will hear you and me singing Janis at the top of our lungs...I will never forget my brother.