Presented by AnnMarie Lube McDonald, Westbury High School Class of 1962, Mother of  Spencer McDonald, Captain United States Marine Corps.

Marine Corps Captain Spencer McDonald was and still is my son, although his physical life was taken from us in the performance of duties serving his country. He is still with me in my heart and memory every day of my life.

My son attended Dulles where among other wonderful things achieved he graduated magna cum laude (15th) in a very large class. Dulles at that time was the largest 5A senior high school in the state of TX. He then attended Texas A & M on a full Navy-Marine scholarship. He graduated in 1989. In addition to being a top student there, he was in the Fish Drill Team & Ross Honor Guard. He loved both A & M and the Marine Corps.

In Spencer's ninth year, 1997, he perished while flying as a Marine Pilot in a F/A 18 AW Hornet. He was the "Whizzo", or weapons officer. The 2-seater Hornets are the planes used by the Navy Blue Angels.

I do use the "Semper Fi" email sign-off to honor my faithfulness to his memory and that of all our military. Hence, for and to my son and  those who've given all for this country

Semper Fi

Ann Marie Lube McDonald

Jesse - Thank you for your eloquent words both sensitive and sensible.  I often was saddened by the way many in our country behaved to our returning vets from Vietnam, not only by the negative treatment in the press, but also by our government who drafted them to serve and then seemingly abandoned them.  It truly was a time to feel a loss of hope for many ... the veterans, their families, and even the rest of us civilians who had a sense of justice and compassion.  It was not one of America's finest hours.

Your remarks prompt me to share that while Spencer was on an ANGLICO with the 11th MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) he was in Somalia, only a month after we saw that video on the news of the Army Ranger who was dragged through the streets there and killed.  Spencer made Captain in Somalia and was the liason with the Nato contingent.

The longest letter (6 pages) Spencer ever wrote me came during his service in Somalia.  In this letter he expressed total dismay at the devastation in what once had been a very beautiful city.  He described the flowering red bouganvilla on the white stucco buildings; he wrote about the camels, goats and donkeys that roamed the streets alongside the armored humvees; and he wrote about the people in their tattered clothing who appeared malnourished, especially compared to the condition of their animals.  He sketched the one-wheeled carts they would huddle under to rest in the sweltering mid-day heat.  He felt a deep compassion for their plight and the condition of their lives.

When he described his living conditions there, he wrote in a totally humorous vein about how nine Marines shared a 10' x 10' room with cots, no running water, and a single working light bulb.  He further went on to say that their meals were first class as they were brought in daily from the aircraft carrier that was in the harbor!  So his concern was for the oppressed people of that country - not himself!

Later Spencer served two 6-month TDY's in Aviano, Italy's "Tent City" for the airmen in all branches of the military who flew over Nato's "no fly zone" over Bosnia, Croatia, Hergozovia (formerly Yugoslavia).  Once again he was touched by the plight of the general populace.  He told me that he did not know if "we", i.e., the United States, should be there ... but that SOMEBODY had to help these people and as long as he was there, he would do his best!  So your remarks about Spencer make me feel that you really "know" him!

By the way, less than two months before the fatal crash both Spencer and the pilot were in the 5% asked by the Marines to train as flight instructors and both had passed with "flying colors".  Spencer also had been informed by his C.O. the Friday before the Monday crash that he was scheduled to make the rank of major in two months, even though he was "three below zone", which I believe means an early promotion ahead of the normal time-frame.

In conclusion, I am the proud mother of a wonderful son and an excellent Marine who truly loved God, country, and the Corps and was planning a 30-year career with them!

AnnMarie Lube McDonald (Semper Fi)

AnnMarie-

What a blessing to have had a son like Spencer. I cannot imagine the depth of your loss when he was killed. One of my greatest hopes is that I leave this world before any of my children so I will not have to suffer such pain. He must have been quite a man.

I only remember you from one class we had together (Miss Dixon's, I believe, in the afternoon) and you sat across the room from me. Like so many now, when I go back and revisit my youth, I wish I had taken the time to know you better back then. This is especially true of those who have now gone on.

God bless you and your family. I look forward to seeing you at the reunion.

I am so glad you have the outlook you do. I know several people who have been completely overcome in grief that they either cannot function or they function in a world centered around their child's death.

The senior class you were in was really small, but it was truly a great one. It had so many extraordinarily fine people.

When I was forty I had a spiritual experience that changed my life. It was so overwhelming that I have stopped saying much about it since most people I have shared it with tend to think I am a kook. I had believed in God before, but now I know He lives and nothing is circumstance. I can only imagine how the reunion will be when you see Spencer again.

I know what you mean when you say you talk to God every day. It beats talking to ourselves. In my case, however, much of my conversation is me acknowledging my weaknesses and asking forgiveness.

God bless you and your family!

 What an incredibly beautiful tribute, Skip.  It warms my heart to call you my classmate.

Richard L. Scott, Class of '65, US Army (Vietnam).

Welcome home Brother: Richard Scott US Army Westbury Class of 1965!