Gale Emerson Rand

I, Gale Emerson Rand, 80, a decorated Marine veteran, was reassigned by the Supreme Commandant on April 9, 2018, fully aware that my permanent duty station would be on Heaven’s Scene, probably as a Commander in the Street or Gate Guard.Born 22 July 1937, in Morrisville, Vermont, I proceeded through life at breakneck speed until meeting the reason to slow down.My wife, Susan, added value and I wanted to enjoy her and profit from her companionship.Along the way, I accumulated several academic degrees (stopping with a Ph.D. in Management), a number of scars on my body (the largest from heart surgery) and a couple on my soul (never mind). My civilian career was a teacher.That is a “magic” calling and, I think, most of my effort was acceptable.I really tried hard to do a good job for my students.I saw it more as a patriotic duty than as a career or disciplinary mandate.Their trust was absolute and my ability to respond was often flawed.Even in failure, though, I often succeeded, since I was able to hold them to intellectual standards I could not, myself, achieve.I don’t think they ever knew.Yes, I’m smiling I placed great value on the Natural world, spending many years accumulating experiences and episodes therein.I was a skilled canoeist, back-packer and woodsman, having completed all but 80 miles of the Long Trail and portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, as well as hundreds of miles of Canadian and Eastern U.S. canoe trails.Much of that travel was solo.That was how I went to church.I met neither grizzly nor chipmunk, nor fish nor fowl, I didn’t like.I am grateful for their lessons. Since I am writing this, I can say whatever I wish without fear of interruption.I wish to say that peace is better than war, having a lot of money assures only wealth, political opinions are always personal opinions misinforming others about reality, and a Nation’s only great hope is in the competent education of its children.I also believe that personal responsibility, the love of language, the importance of history, and the commitment to community is cultural concepts largely abandoned by my generation.Shame on us. My long and involved connection to the U.S. Marine Corps is both complicated and without sufficient substance to justify much space here.A good summary might be: I’m an excellent marksman and I saved a useful life.I left with some pride in both. I also left having been satisfied with the quality and character of what I did with the time borrowed for this purpose.My intent was to leave some profit to others.For each sin of which I am guilty, I tried to deliver a greater value to someone else.I deeply regret any harm or sadness for which I am responsible. I don’t leave much behind.Some physical stuff that is now unimportant, except, perhaps to others.I didn’t make much of a mess while here and I pretty much brushed out the marks my feet left in the trail.I am hopeful that any sadness over my leaving will be momentary.I really hate having to leave Susan, my love and my friend for all these years.I’m sure this kind of love will survive the boundary now between us.I regret leaving my sister, Sara Lyn (David) Peck of Vermont and my brother, Peter (Jodi) Rand of Georgia.They are part of my foundation and I value that.I don’t think I ever said “Thank you”.My son, Russell (Holly), and step-children, Wendy (Christopher) Crumbo and Christopher (Jessie) Group, all of different places, have brought me joy and understanding and an opportunity to do better, as well as grandchildren upon which to practice.Grandchildren, too many to name here, have given me a glimpse of the future and I am hopeful. Now, let me go.If I can, I’m heading back to the woods.There is no place I’d rather be. I wish no funeral services or burial. Gale