I like the internal contradictions of this holiday. It is just like the military itself: Vets go to work in the civilian and government sector as contractors while civilian government workers get the day off to honor them. Oh well, goes with the territory.

I am a little shaken this morning. I was going to power through the holiday and continue with the saga of Ed Gilfillen and the Last Cruise of the IJN Battlehsip Nagato. That is going to have to wait, although there is quite a story about sacrifice by the time we get to the end of it.

I honor those millions who left hearth and home, and brought us victory over some really awful systems. So, I was typing away when I got a note from my son, who informed me that word was spreading of a tragic event. The son of a good pal- a Vet, natch- had followed his Dad’s footsteps into the Navy and been selected for flight training. He was one of the best of the best, a fighter pilot and recent graduate of Top Gun. They don’t come any better in my experience, and someone t-boned his car. The young pilot is paralyzed and I am devastated.

Where there is life there is hope, of course, and my prayers are with him and the family.

I couldn’t type any longer, and went out to run some errands. When I got back and got seated in front of the computer I saw another bit of very sad news. I am going to keep it short and to the point, which I think is the way that Betsy would have wanted it. BBut there is a story of dauntless courage, and the indomitable nature of the human spirit against all odds, and against the relentless onslaught of a terrible illness.

TAPS

09 November 2015. Captain Betsy Fitzgerel, USNR-Ret., 60, passed away in Williamsburg, VA. Captain Fitzgerel was born in Naples, Italy and was a graduate of the University of South Carolina and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF).

She served for 27 years in the United States Navy and has resided in Williamsburg since 2007.

In her later days, she was attended by family and friends, including Ann and Tom Wilson, long time Navy friends and Williamsburg residents. Ann prayed the rosary with Betsy daily, and was with her until shortly before her passing.

Betsy’s military tours were served with distinction and élan, and she greeted each day with the words: “What can I do to help?” She was that kind of woman, mother, wife and naval officer.
She is survived by her husband, Captain John Allison, USN-Ret.; her daughter Genevieve Allison; son Andrew Allison, mother Jessanne R. Fitzgerel; sisters Carol F. Doherty and Nancy F. Hammerer; and brother M. Hill Fitzgerel.

A memorial service will be held for friends and family at the Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg, VA on Thursday, November 12, 2015 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. A funeral mass will be at St. Bede Catholic Church, 3685 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, VA on Friday, November 13, 2015 at 3:00 pm. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com.

Rest in peace, Shipmate. I will be at the mass on Friday to honor her, her family, and her service.

Vic