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in Tripler Army Hospital, Hawaii
11-06-05 Gentlemen and Fellow Marines; It was my pleasure to represent you good "Purple Foxes" in celebrating the 230th Birthday of USMC with Colonel Jacob L. "Jay" Larue this evening. OK, so we were a few days early! Jay was most appreciative of the gesture and sends his greetings to you all. Jay and his wife Inme have regularly attended the Ball at the Hilton Hawaiian Village for many years. I used the guise "that since he wouldn't be able to go get a piece of cake this year, we'd bring the cake to him!" His son and daughter, with their respective significant others, were in attendance of the "cake cutting ceremony." While Jay is senior to me only by an act of congress (he is colonel and I a mere light colonel), I am about six months older (by act of parents) and therefore, I got the first piece of cake! Imbedded below and attached also are pictures of this event. Again, members of HMM-364 (Purple Foxes), it was my
pleasure to do this on your behalf. Jay kept telling me how much
he appreciates the phone calls from the many who have taken the time to
call. He was in really bad pain and very despondent Saturday when
a few called. Thus the early cake ceremony. However, today
(Sunday) he was in great spirits and feeling much like his old self!
Some days are very bad and others, not too bad. I'm not a doctor
so can't and won't give any prognostication on his future. I know
of no survivors of this dreaded disease (pancreatic cancer). Jay
has out lived all reasonable expectations and still has a positive outlook.
Please say a few prayers for him.
11-09-05 Dear Marines, Jay Larue called this evening, on my cell phone as I was driving home. Perfect moment. He was thrilled to tell a story. Jay spoke and I listened. I promised Jay who made me commit to this "forward what he said", but I am sure it is well known, by all of you who made this happen. It most assuredly had nothing to do with me. For instance, he thanked me for his receiving a Purple Fox cover. It wasn't me. Here's where it fits in. Just in time he receives the Purple Fox cover. Next, a squad of Secret Service personnel ear plugs in place and arrive in his hospice room, and ask him to "please come with us!" Jay says he has many great friends in the secret service and one person in particular whom I don't know was formerly "in charge of the Punch Bowl." This crew escorted Jay to an awaiting "Presidential Limousine" which took them all to a parade field, I believe. There Jay saw many, many of his friends and family (his niece filmed the whole event for later publication) who had gathered to wish him "Happy 230th Birthday". Jay said he could not have been happier as he stood wearing his Purple Fox Cover and reviewing the "Honor Guard" and asked that this "surprise" by his "secret service friends" be forwarded to all. Prayers is what he then talked about, and specifically his request was that he be granted "a peaceful passing" and he asked for all of our prayers that this be granted to him. "If you put your mind to what you have said, you wouldn't say it, but its clear to me you speak from the heart and you say it". Jay said that the "greatest moments I experienced in the Marine Corps were under Col. Brady as a Purple Fox and no matter where I was after that nothing compared to being a Purple Fox. I retired after 26 years". I promised Jay who said do "exactly as I ask" and "pass this on to everyone". He promised me "I will call you tomorrow to talk again." In closing, thanks Rich Bianchino and Dave Belatti for the graceful hand and warm heart you both are showing to this dear Marine, Jay Larue. You are worthy of extremely high praise from us all. That Purple Fox cake was spectacular and the delivery by Dave was exceptionally moving. Bless you all, Brother Purple Foxes, for these wonderful things that you do. Happy 230th Birthday, Marines! Semper Fi,
10-26-05 Dick Armstrong and I just got back from TAMC on a visit to Jay Larue. He went into the hospital yesterday (Oncology floor) to get his medications on track and the pain medications intravenously. He is failing, can't eat much and had a lot of problems taking meds orally. He is on an "on demand" pain killer for pain in his stomach. Pancreatic cancer is one hell of an illness. All end of life arrangements have been made and it is just a matter of time. He'll be lucky to see his 62nd birthday next month. We played golf with him about a month ago and below is a picture of him at that outing. He looks about the same... this as a rail and very little muscle tone. Extended stomach that is hard as a rock.
Hate to be the bearer of bad news. Will keep you advised as things progress so you can notify HMM-364 gang. David Belatti 10-29-05 I saw Jay again yesterday afternoon. Has good attitude. Knows he is dying and can't do anything about it except manage pain. So far, the pain has been pretty manageable and he is in good spirits. Appreciated my letting you know and the responses I've gotten from you and Jim Ritchie. His daughter will be arriving from Atlanta this Thursday. Main reason Jay is in Hospital is to give Inme (wife) some peace of mind. She has been so concerned about his pain and medications that she has not slept for some time now. He had/has home Hospice and they visit him at Tripler. Very sad to watch a good friend deteriorate. Said to give you the following info:
He has his cell in his Hospice Respite Room at Tripler. David Belatti |
