Saying Goodbye to a Fallen Warrior
I found out last Wednesday, while I was in Soldotna for a family reunion, that my good friend Maurice Bailey had passed away the previous day. While he had suffered from Leukemia for awhile now, it still seemed to catch us all by surprise.
Mo was a Vietnam vet, a pilot, an aviation mechanic and a stalwart fixture in Alaska’s aviation community. He was also founder of the non-profit organization Veterans Aviation Outreach, whose goal is to find as many of Alaska’s estimated 80,000 veterans as he could and get them signed up for their US Veteran’s Benefits. He sometimes found vets who were in the throes of poverty, suffered from serious illness, had isolated themselves as the result of severe PTSD or all of the above. Mo’s easy, good-natured humor would win over the most non-trusting…his huge heart would make things like home repairs, durable medical equipment and wheelchair ramps materialize almost out of thin air, with the assistance of his contingent of loyal, hardworking supporters.
I feel privileged to be counted among his friends, which also include Senators Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski, who both put out releases upon learning of his death.
As is fitting of Mo’s service to his brother and sister veterans in and out of the military, Mo was given a funeral with full-military-honors at Fort Richardson Monday. I first met a number of folks at the Weigh Station, forming a procession to the gate and then through the post to the funeral.
The photo at the top of the page showed how the Military Police at every corner held the traffic for us and saluted as we passed. It was hard to drive through the tears…some of which were from pride to see Mo honored in this way.
The first sight when we arrived was the rifle line at attention, prepared to fire their salute at the right time.
The Chaplain read from Paul to the Corinthians…I honestly don’t remember much of what he read.
A representative from the Vietnam Veteran’s Motorcycle Club read a poem and I remembered almost every word, even before I found it on line:
THE FINAL INSPECTION
The soldier stood and faced God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass.
“Step forward now, you soldier, How shall I deal with you ? Have you always turned the other cheek ? To My Church have you been true?”
The soldier squared his shoulders and said, “No, Lord, I guess I ain’t. Because those of us who carry guns, Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was tough. And sometimes I’ve been violent, Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny, That wasn’t mine to keep… Though I worked a lot of overtime, When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God, forgive me, I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place, Among the people here. They never wanted me around, Except to calm their fears.
If you’ve a place for me here, Lord, It needn’t be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don’t, I’ll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne, Where the saints had often trod. As the soldier waited quietly, For the judgment of his God.
“Step forward now, you soldier, You’ve borne your burdens well. Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets, You’ve done your time in Hell.”
~Author Unknown~
The flag was opened and the bugler played “Taps.” Then the guard folded it back up–thirteen folds for the thirteen colonies.
When the flag and bullets were passed to Mo’s wife, Ann Bailey, even the most stoic in the crowd shed a tear.
The Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club had a “Fallen Warrior Ceremony” for Mo at the end of the service. Ann laid the single black and red roses (red signifies both bloodshed and purity, the black signifies mourning) on the worn pair of boots which cradled Mo’s urn. You can see the bugler in the background.
Maurice Bailey was buried at Fort Richardson’s National Cemetery.
Many of Mo’s friends were there, including folks like Diane Benson, Valley Sen. Charlie Huggins and representatives from the Congressional Delegation:
I was unable to make it to the celebration they had out at the Palmer Elks Club (I had kids at home) but I understand it was a warm and wonderful send off…something Mo would have appreciated.
These pictures portray Mo as I’ll always remember him:
In February, Mo was excited and animated waiting for President Obama to arrive because he got the opportunity to shake his hand, and…
This is of Ann and Mo Bailey at the 2010 Gathering, laughing together. I’ll always remember him laughing. I’m going to miss that sound.
***************
Past posts about Mo:
Honoring Vets Shouldn’t Depend on an Election Cycle
To donate to Veterans Aviation Outreach:
Click on the “Donate via Paypal” button on the left.
Rest in peace, Mo
(((Sharing your sorrow, Ann)))
Thank you, Linda
Rest in peace, Mo
(((Sharing your sorrow, Ann)))
Thank you, Linda
Mo told me to go out and get what I deserve. I’ll keep trying, but it gets hard. I’m glad that your struggle is over, and that you no longer have to deal with all the strife, pain and anger this world has to dish out. Just can’t get the cross hairs off my back. Once you’ve seen them placed on the back of another, and you see how easily the life of a person can be ended with the simple flick of a button, nothing can ever be the same. How amazing that you found the strength to rise above it all. Maybe that’s what they mean by the power of service to others. Sometimes I feel it and sometimes it slips away. Still, your example to others means a lot especially to those who hang on by threads. Thanks for looking past the insecurity, the resentment, and the anger that so often gets redirected at the very people who want to help you most. Thanks for understanding how frustration locks you up, and paralyzes a person despite the appearance of bravado and bluster. Thanks most for your willingness to remind us that no matter what we think we have become, the maker’s thread still runs deep within us and that we can and should believe in ourselves because God does. Thanks for loving us. Unconditionally. Powerfully. You truly represented what we spent six weeks trying to achieve, our youth chasing after and a lifetime mourning its loss.
((((((Jeanette)))))))…i am listening baby. just stand. you are not lost. your crown has been bought and paid for. put it on and just stand.
Mo told me to go out and get what I deserve. I’ll keep trying, but it gets hard. I’m glad that your struggle is over, and that you no longer have to deal with all the strife, pain and anger this world has to dish out. Just can’t get the cross hairs off my back. Once you’ve seen them placed on the back of another, and you see how easily the life of a person can be ended with the simple flick of a button, nothing can ever be the same. How amazing that you found the strength to rise above it all. Maybe that’s what they mean by the power of service to others. Sometimes I feel it and sometimes it slips away. Still, your example to others means a lot especially to those who hang on by threads. Thanks for looking past the insecurity, the resentment, and the anger that so often gets redirected at the very people who want to help you most. Thanks for understanding how frustration locks you up, and paralyzes a person despite the appearance of bravado and bluster. Thanks most for your willingness to remind us that no matter what we think we have become, the maker’s thread still runs deep within us and that we can and should believe in ourselves because God does. Thanks for loving us. Unconditionally. Powerfully. You truly represented what we spent six weeks trying to achieve, our youth chasing after and a lifetime mourning its loss.
((((((Jeanette)))))))…i am listening baby. just stand. you are not lost. your crown has been bought and paid for. put it on and just stand.
to the family of Mo Bailey i send love. may your grief be assuaged and may you remember after a while his joy and his laughter.
i am so proud of my brothers, my sisters, my fathers who serve our country to the last full measure.
so now sweet prince “Go rest high on that mountain. Go to heaven a shouting love for the Father and the Son.” RIP Mr. Bailey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtmAVGPEPSI
to the family of Mo Bailey i send love. may your grief be assuaged and may you remember after a while his joy and his laughter.
i am so proud of my brothers, my sisters, my fathers who serve our country to the last full measure.
so now sweet prince “Go rest high on that mountain. Go to heaven a shouting love for the Father and the Son.” RIP Mr. Bailey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtmAVGPEPSI
probably a good thing no one is around right now…i’m too choked up to speak…it’s even hard to type through the tears….mo is/was another hero i would have liked to have met…another unspoken hero we vets need….rip after a long, fruitful and fulfilling journey…..
probably a good thing no one is around right now…i’m too choked up to speak…it’s even hard to type through the tears….mo is/was another hero i would have liked to have met…another unspoken hero we vets need….rip after a long, fruitful and fulfilling journey…..
What a gorgeous smile he had! I’m sorry for his loss to those that knew him and those he touched.
What a gorgeous smile he had! I’m sorry for his loss to those that knew him and those he touched.
Mo was a man with a big heart who always had time for his brothers. He lived a life full of accomplishment and service to others. He will be missed but remembered with admiration, respect and affection.
Mo was a man with a big heart who always had time for his brothers. He lived a life full of accomplishment and service to others. He will be missed but remembered with admiration, respect and affection.
Linda, thank you for this wonderful tribute to your amazing friend, who was helpful to so many who needed him. He will be sorely missed, I’m certain. Condolences to all who knew him, especially his wife. Quyana.
Linda, thank you for this wonderful tribute to your amazing friend, who was helpful to so many who needed him. He will be sorely missed, I’m certain. Condolences to all who knew him, especially his wife. Quyana.
Amongst his other accomplishments, Mr Bailey helped heal something in many of us who never served a day in the service but nonetheless carry wounds from VietNam .
Bless you Mr Bailey .
Thank you for sharing this Linda.
My very best wishes to his wife, family , and friends.
Amongst his other accomplishments, Mr Bailey helped heal something in many of us who never served a day in the service but nonetheless carry wounds from VietNam .
Bless you Mr Bailey .
Thank you for sharing this Linda.
My very best wishes to his wife, family , and friends.
quyana
quyana
quyana
Mo really knew his history. He had put the word out that he want to meet a ATG member, I think thru Lisa M. Well we got the call from Lisa’s office about Mo wanting to visit a ATG member. So Mo comes over and meets my gramps. Gramps was about 60% deaf back then and resorted to only speaking Inupiat about a decade eairler. So I tell Mo that it might be hard to communicate with gramps. Mo laughs and plants himself down on the couch next to gramps. Course Mo is decked out with some vet patches and cap. So I notice gramps notices Mo’s vet identifiers and goes to get his vest on with the Alaska Territorial Guard patch I had sewned on it decades before. Mo smiles real big. Gramps smiles real big. So I decide to play the movie The Fast Runner and I get big smiles from gramps and Mo.
I made coffee, tea and put out some pilot bread and smoked salmon. More big smiles from gramps and Mo. At the end of the movie I tell Mo that gramps will probably fall asleep. Mo smiles at gramps and tells him he is honored to meet a ATG member and salutes him. Gramps reaches to shake Mo’s hand. They hold each others hand a long time and look at each others eyes. I remember this well, cause you could kinda feel the power coming off these two men looking at each other. Gramps stands tall, almost statue like till Mo leaves the house. A hour later Mo calls and thanks me for being a wonderful host and says he was honored and thankful to meet gramps.
I didn’t know Mo but he knew his Alaska Militiary history. And he honored my gramps, a sharp shooter (they all were sharp shooters!) with the Alaska Territorial Guard.
Thank you for this Linda, it is a good read with nice photos.
quyana
quyana
quyana
Mo really knew his history. He had put the word out that he want to meet a ATG member, I think thru Lisa M. Well we got the call from Lisa’s office about Mo wanting to visit a ATG member. So Mo comes over and meets my gramps. Gramps was about 60% deaf back then and resorted to only speaking Inupiat about a decade eairler. So I tell Mo that it might be hard to communicate with gramps. Mo laughs and plants himself down on the couch next to gramps. Course Mo is decked out with some vet patches and cap. So I notice gramps notices Mo’s vet identifiers and goes to get his vest on with the Alaska Territorial Guard patch I had sewned on it decades before. Mo smiles real big. Gramps smiles real big. So I decide to play the movie The Fast Runner and I get big smiles from gramps and Mo.
I made coffee, tea and put out some pilot bread and smoked salmon. More big smiles from gramps and Mo. At the end of the movie I tell Mo that gramps will probably fall asleep. Mo smiles at gramps and tells him he is honored to meet a ATG member and salutes him. Gramps reaches to shake Mo’s hand. They hold each others hand a long time and look at each others eyes. I remember this well, cause you could kinda feel the power coming off these two men looking at each other. Gramps stands tall, almost statue like till Mo leaves the house. A hour later Mo calls and thanks me for being a wonderful host and says he was honored and thankful to meet gramps.
I didn’t know Mo but he knew his Alaska Militiary history. And he honored my gramps, a sharp shooter (they all were sharp shooters!) with the Alaska Territorial Guard.
Thank you for this Linda, it is a good read with nice photos.
Thank you for sharing his memory with those of us who didn’t know him, but wish we had. Condolences to his family and many friends.
Thank you for sharing his memory with those of us who didn’t know him, but wish we had. Condolences to his family and many friends.
Thanks, Linda.
Thanks, Linda.
Thank you. I remember reading about him before. Peace.
Me too, jimzmum – I think I read about him over on Linda’s Blog a few months (possibly a year even?) back. I fell in immense admiration and respect with Mo, then. What a remarkable man; what a generous soul. beth.
(Linda – could you add a link to your writeup about him? Was it Veteran’s Day just past? That, like your writeup about him here, was fantastic. b.)
Thank you. I remember reading about him before. Peace.
Me too, jimzmum – I think I read about him over on Linda’s Blog a few months (possibly a year even?) back. I fell in immense admiration and respect with Mo, then. What a remarkable man; what a generous soul. beth.
(Linda – could you add a link to your writeup about him? Was it Veteran’s Day just past? That, like your writeup about him here, was fantastic. b.)
Thank You for the nice, heartfelt post. I agree with everyone above, he sounded like a wonderful man.
Thank You for the nice, heartfelt post. I agree with everyone above, he sounded like a wonderful man.
This was beautiful. Thank you for posting this. He sounds like a wonderful human being.
This was beautiful. Thank you for posting this. He sounds like a wonderful human being.
Thank you, Linda, for your loving tribute to Mo. It is wonderful to read about him and know that so many others appreciated him, like you, for all the great things he did for veterans in need.
Thank you, Linda, for your loving tribute to Mo. It is wonderful to read about him and know that so many others appreciated him, like you, for all the great things he did for veterans in need.
What a lovely tribute and remembrance of a wonderful man. Many thanks, Linda.
Do you have contact info for his Veterans Aviation Outreach group? I’d like to make a contribution in his memory, and I’ll bet I’m not the only one.
L’Shalom.
thatcrowwoman
Thank you so much for the reminder! I put a link to their website at the bottom of the post.
What a lovely tribute and remembrance of a wonderful man. Many thanks, Linda.
Do you have contact info for his Veterans Aviation Outreach group? I’d like to make a contribution in his memory, and I’ll bet I’m not the only one.
L’Shalom.
thatcrowwoman
Thank you so much for the reminder! I put a link to their website at the bottom of the post.
LKB ~ What a wonderful man; what a wonderful tribute to him. Thank you for sharing. beth.
— I’m unfamiliar with [the tradition(?) of] presenting the next of kin bullets along with the Flag. Could you explain, please? b.
the expended shell casings are presented to the family/next of kin simply as a rememberance token of the 3 volley salute for the deceased.
Thanks, benlomond2, we’d never heard of it before. [By “we”, I mean retired CSM and me.] In all the funerals for Veterans we’ve attended (and those in which CSM participated), the spent casings have never part of the presentation (even at post-volley graveside) — I’m presuming it’s a ‘local[ized]’ tradition? beth.
As the picture shows, there were seven soldiers who fired three rounds for a 21 gun salute.
Tony Vita ~ all of the military funerals we’ve ever attended have had the 21-gun salute; it’s just that we’ve never been to one where the spent casings [from that salute] were presented with the Flag. Thus, my question. beth.
LKB ~ What a wonderful man; what a wonderful tribute to him. Thank you for sharing. beth.
— I’m unfamiliar with [the tradition(?) of] presenting the next of kin bullets along with the Flag. Could you explain, please? b.
the expended shell casings are presented to the family/next of kin simply as a rememberance token of the 3 volley salute for the deceased.
Thanks, benlomond2, we’d never heard of it before. [By “we”, I mean retired CSM and me.] In all the funerals for Veterans we’ve attended (and those in which CSM participated), the spent casings have never part of the presentation (even at post-volley graveside) — I’m presuming it’s a ‘local[ized]’ tradition? beth.
As the picture shows, there were seven soldiers who fired three rounds for a 21 gun salute.
Tony Vita ~ all of the military funerals we’ve ever attended have had the 21-gun salute; it’s just that we’ve never been to one where the spent casings [from that salute] were presented with the Flag. Thus, my question. beth.
My condolences to all who mourn this man. He sounds like one of God’s saints to me.
My condolences to all who mourn this man. He sounds like one of God’s saints to me.
Linda, what a beautiful post and tribute to your friend. Your words tell a wonderful story, but those pictures are amazing. I’m glad Mo got to shake President Obama’s hand. Peace.
Linda, what a beautiful post and tribute to your friend. Your words tell a wonderful story, but those pictures are amazing. I’m glad Mo got to shake President Obama’s hand. Peace.
I miss your friend too, Linda. He made things happen even when no one wanted to listen to him.
I miss your friend too, Linda. He made things happen even when no one wanted to listen to him.