From a Veteran to a Veteran.......
Larry. It was good to meet you finally over at Post 262 and have that beer with you. Veterans are all family and having Laura here at my office makes her just as much family. Wish I could have known you more and better. I love the pictures that Laura has posted here. I can't believe how much your daughter looks like Laura as she grew up. Great pictures. You had a good life and that's all we can ask for. USMC, Ray Trosper.
Dead Groundhogs
Larry & I became close friends when the Knight family moved from Frazeysburg into a new house in the country, just over the hill from my folks home. I believe this was in 1957, when we were both 10 yrs old. We spend many days roaming the hills and hunting all sorts of animals, and morel mushrooms in the spring. Well, Larry was usually up to something, and one of those days when I had climbed up the hill and into the large clear field above the house, I spotted a groundhog standing up in front of the den. I slowly sneaked up to it and took a shot.....the groundhog didn't move......I took another shot thinking I'd missed it......still standing! Finally I got up from my prone position and walked towards the groundhog......still standing and not moving! When I got to the groundhog, it was already dead, and had been propped up in front of the hole with a stick.....and one ear had been cut off......That damn Larry! You knew it was him because he'd always cut an ear on a groundhog he'd killed! If you knew Larry, you know what a kidder and prankster he was! We kept in touch over the years, and when I was serving in the Navy in the 80's and 90's, I was stationed at various bases, and aboard a couple aircraft carriers, in CA. I spent a number of Thanksgivings at Larry's place, and gave him and Laura a tour of the USS Carl Vinson when we were in port San Diego. A great friend, superb storyteller, just a good, likeable guy. "Fair Winds and Following Seas shipmate".
Lt Bill Minnich US Navy (ret)
