Where We Are Today NOTICE OF JOESEPH W. MUSIAL, D Co, 68-70, passing on to Valhalla. 11 Nov 2001: Gentlemen: As you know, Rock's condition worsened seriously last week. His doctors expected him to die last Monday or Tuesday. But true to form, he didn't do what the authority figures told him to do. He hung in there until the early morning hours of today, Veteran's Day, before letting go. Joe died at 1:20 a.m. today. His sister says that tentative plans are to bury Joe this Thursday in the National Military Cemetery in Battle Creek, Mich. There will also be a viewing and mass the same day. The day is somewhat tentative because the VA office that must approve it is closed until Tuesday for the Veteran's Day holiday. His sister Genie can be reached at 616-423-8407. I plan to be there. I'll arrive Wednesday evening and plan to stay at the Holiday Inn Express. Sorry to be the bearer of sad tidings. Robert Hodierne, 703-525-3398 Our prayers and condolences to members of the family. Joe was a Veteran and a true hero. He waited until Veteran 's Day for his final "D" Day. God be with him. (Jumping Mustang 6) MIKE BLAKE, D CO, 68-69 WRITES, at Just a brief note to express my sorrow with the passing of Joseph Musial. I served with Sgt. " Rock " for a brief time when I was with Delta Co. 1/8 68-69. We didn't know what to think about this man when he joined up with our platoon. Having served a prior tour, we realized early on that he would live up to his name. Hard Core was a very appropriate title for this man, he had a passion for what he did and we soon realized that even though Sgt. Rock was gung ho, he had Great Jungle Sense and a way of keeping his men out of unnecessary " Harms Way ". Those of us who served with Rock will miss him, may he rest in peace. HONOR AND COURAGE. Mike Blake PAPPY LOUGHRAN WRITES: Greeting from Fayetteville, NC. Would you please put out the word on the net to everyone who knew "Sgt. Rock". Joe Musial that they may make a contribution to the 1st Cav Scholarship Fund in his name. BR> Make check payable to the Scholarship Fund 1st Cav Div. and note in Memory of Joseph Musial. Mail to: Foundation of the 1st Cav Division 302 North Main Copperas Cove, TX 76522 Many Thanks, Pappy Loughran  LEFTY HANZELLA WRITES: In reference to Sam Ault's recollection at LZ White about St Rock, I remember that night very well, just as if it were yesterday. I ran generators on the LZ, being with the Commo section of HHQ Co. What Sam says is true. St Rock was a hell of a soldier, I often mentioned his name in recalling that night on the LZ. May he rest in Peace and look down with favor on our troops today. Lefty Hanzelka HHQ 1/8 Cav SAM AULT, WRITES: Remembering SGT Rock. Delta was on FSB White with A Company. I was in the Battalion Bunker when the we came under attack. SGT Rock ran down the stairs and told LTC Graham that we had NVA inside the wire. I do not remember what Grahams reply was but he was in denial. SGT Rock ran back up the stairs, threw open the bunker door and we heard his 44 magnum fire three times. The next thing we saw was a dead NVA being throws down the stairs followed by SGT Rock, who repeat to LTC Graham. "Sir, I said we had gooks inside the perimeter. SGT Rock turned around and exited the bunker to fight the NVA. I will never forget that incident. God Bless Him, and May he rest in Peace. Sam Ault FO Company A 1/8  GLENN SHEATHELM at WRITES: There were a lot of things exchanged about Sgt. Rock. The view of the FSB White incident was one of the things mentioned. Others at the funeral with E/1/8 Cavalry said that Rock had gone to the TOC and told the CO (not mentioned by name in the version I heard) that the movement both inside and outside the perimeter was real and they needed illumination. The CO told Rock that the troops were just jumpy and imagining things and there was to be no indiscriminate shooting. Rock then went back out with a .357 magnum revolver in hand and started stalking a sapper who was approaching an old bunker. Rock quietly used the cover of the bunker and got within 10 yards of the VC before shooting him. Rock then picked up the VC over his shoulder and trotted back to the TOC. When he got to the TOC he went in and threw the dead VC on the floor and said something to the effect, "Now you dumb sh.., those VC are real and if you don't get some illumination going you are going to be as dead as he is." The general impression was that Rock treated everyone as if they were a fellow Sgt. If they were right he would congratulate them. If they were wrong he would bluntly tell them off. We took three minutes top place a rifle with fixed bayonet in the ground including helmet and boots. We wanted to put a "Death From Above" or "The Panther Stalks You" scarf around the pistol grip, but we didn't think to bring one in advance since the whole thing with the rifle was difficult to plan with some people travelling and getting the correct phone numbers. George Hull, Bret Barham, Robert Hodierne and I were four of the pall bearers. The internment was at Ft. Custer National Cemetery west of Battle Creek, MI. Those looking for Ft. Custer National Cemetery will find it on MI Highway 96 between Augusta and Battle Creek. MI-96 runs parallel to I-94 a few miles to the north. I'll get you a picture of the pall bearer behind the helmet and rifle later. Glenn