IN REMEMBRANCE

Bayard Scott Pickett
Colonel USMC
USS PROVIDENCE (1959-61)



Sam -
On Monday, December 21, 2009, Bayard "Scotty" Pickett reported in to his maker.  He was our Marine Detachment commander on Providence from re-commissioning in 1959 through 1961.  His 30 years in the Marine Corps started as a private at Parris Island in 1945, saw him commissioned in 1952 in time to fight in Korea and later in Vietnam.  During his career, Colonel Pickett commanded every size Marine Corps fighting unit from four-man fire teams to a regiment.   He finally retired to his home and patient wife in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina during 1976.  
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We enjoyed another monthly lunch together just this past Tuesday, December 15th.  All was well.  Today I attended his funeral.  He was sent off with full military honors including sharp, young Marine riflemen, a Navy bugler playing taps, our Stars and Stripes being presented to his wife of many years, and a lot of old Marines with memories of a great man.   Our USS Providence Association has another name to remember with the chimes of the ship's bell.  Semper Fi -
.
Charlie Sullivan



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Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.
I'm following the path God laid, you see.
I took His hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day -
To laugh, to love, to work , or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found that peace at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void,
Fill it now with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh. a kiss;
Oh yes, these things i , too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow -
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, i savored much;
Good friends, good times,
A loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief
Lift up your hearts, and peace to thee -
God wanted me now...He set me free.

TAPS
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The Passing of a Warrior
Today one of our brothers
has gone on to the far side of the wall
There he walks again among his friends
his honored kin and comrades Tonight there is a hole in my heart
I ache for the loss of my brother
though I rejoice in his rejoining
on the far side of the wall Tonight a calm soul
and a dignified friend
has found his peace at last
on the far side of the wall Tonight my long passed brothers
welcome one of our own
whole and smiling again
to the far side of the wall Tonight there will be tears
a remembrance of him here
fond stories and hard grief
but not on the far side of the wall Tonight our lives turn a shade darker
We are all made to see a little starker
but only for us, this pain falls