I recently learned of the passing of a longtime acquaintance, Gary Muntz.  Dave Duve posted his passing on Facebook, oddly enough only a few weeks after I had tried to track him down.  In fact, I think I sent him a Facebook friend request the day he passed.  Gary didn't graduate with us, but was a member of our class in 1966, and maybe a little beyond.  North End kids will probably remember him, Holy Ghost, Fulton and Jefferson, where he played football.

Those of us who remember Gary, remember him as a friendly, nice guy, who trouble stalked his whole life, at least the part of it I remember.  The other parts I’ve read about confirm what I knew.  No matter what Gary did, no matter how well intentioned, it just never worked for Gary.  Maybe he didn’t understand there were rules, or maybe he just didn’t understand them, but I never remember Gary doing anything to intentionally get into trouble or hurt someone. He was a tough kid, but always gentle.

Dave Duve posted a link to a story about Gary from a Jackson, MI newspaper.  It grieves me so to read how a friend, classmate, and fellow veteran was so mistreated. I try to remain apolitical on this site, so I will not discuss the political aspect of marijuana use.  Form your own opinion.

The Cliff’s Notes version of Gary’s life: Gary left high school sometime in 1967, and enlisted in the Army where he became an Airborne Ranger in Vietnam in 1966-1967.  While there he began to smoke marijuana which later became his downfall.  He left the Army diagnosed with PSTD, and perhaps, though not diagnosed, Agent Orange effects.  He also suffered the humiliation of being spit upon when he returned to the US.

After his service, Gary worked on oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, and the North Sea in Scotland.  He had other jobs while trying to cope with his PSTD.  He married three time, had two sons and two adopted daughters.  Just like most of us, he tried to follow the dream.

The rest of the article is commentary on the use of medical marijuana.  The bottom line was Gary was arrested for growing his own, which differed from the law allowing the use of medical marijuana.  From where I sit, the government should have stayed out of the life of a veteran and let him have the peace he so deserved.  The link following is the full newspaper article of Gary’s plight.  Gary's Story

Gary requested that no obit be posted.  My thanks to Dave Duve and Dave Uthe for letting me know of his passing.  I for one, will not forget Gary’s memory nor his service. Rest well, my friend.  I’ll see you on the other side.

Thanks for letting me speak about a friend/classmate/vet who deserved better.