Good Morning, Members and Friends -
The past three days have brought saddening news to our organization. Past Director John (Jack) DeLap
died on Wednesday. Don Finch, owner and moderator of the Ad Hoc KWVA Forum on Yahoo had a heart attack
on Thursday.
With sadness I note the death of Past Director Jack DeLap. We must all expect this, of course, but it
is saddening. I personally found Jack to an honorable man. He was an individual director whom I always believed
acted with the best of intentions. Since Jack was in the Kansas City, Kansas, Chapter, I personally corresponded
with him several times. I graduated from high school in KC. A friend with whom I went through OCS at Fort
Riley, Kansas, is a member of the same chapter—Eugene Tinberg. I thought Jack might have been a classmate.
I found, however, that he had moved to the area from somewhere up North—don’t remember where. He was cordial
and willing to work for the good of veterans.
When the election was over Jack sent an email on Don Finch’s Ad Hoc congratulating the winners
and wishing us luck—the only one of the losing candidates to do so. I believe that if Jack had faults they
were the same ones that are or will be afflicting ALL of us “old men” (and women, too!) in varying
degrees. We should all hope that we can cope under such conditions.
Rest in peace, Jack, Semper Fi. Thank you for your dedicated service to veterans.
Don Finch was hospitalized with a heart attack on Thursday. Thanks to Lynnita Jean Brown and Jake Feaster,
and the Ad Hoc, we have learned that Don is in Kenmore Mercy Hospital, 2950 Elmwood Ave., Kenmore,
NY, 14217, where he is currently being treated for the heart attack and for pneumonia. He is in Room 3106
and his direct line is 1-716-447-7206.
Don is a man that I know that I can depend on. I respect and work with Don, warts and all, and
I believe that he does the same considering my shortcomings. I wish all of us would understand that
none of us “walk on water;” we can all improve our conduct and actions. Too often if someone disagrees with
us we consider them worthless. I say to my Korean War brothers and sisters, who were there, that we did
not learn to act that way in military service. It is a product of the aging process which will sooner or
later get to all of us in varying degrees. Realizing this ought to help us bear with each other in a more
brotherly manner.
As I noted in an email to Don’s discussion group today, the Ad Hoc was often cussed in the postings.
Some of my friends have done so on occasion. I have never done so—an examination of the messages on the
Ad Hoc over the past year, or just last month, will find postings from me supporting Ad Hoc
and Don’s work. When we joined the forum we understood and subscribed to the rules of the owner and moderator,
Don Finch. He has been trustworthy. That is all that any of us can reasonably ask.
Thank you, Don, and God grant you a good rest and complete healing.
And: Thank you, Jim Doppelhammer, for your work creating a companion Official Website of excellence
for the Korean War Veterans Association.
