I'm very sorry to hear of Dave's passing. I knew him well as a kid. We lived fairly close. Perhaps you know that he served in the "brown water navy" down in the delta area of Vietnam. I believe he was stationed on a PBR (patrol boat river) among the many rivers and back waters there. None of this may be familiar to you but the point is, many areas of Vietnam were heavily defoliated with agent orange, in particular the Mekong delta. There is no doubt in my mind that his illness was directly related to his service. The illness that was mentioned is on the VA's list , presumed to be related to agent orange poisoning. There were other highly toxic agents used all over the country but agent orange tops the list of killers.
It's very sad that people who served this country have been paid back with poison that doesn't show up until much later in life.
We will all miss you brother.
Ralph
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Dave Costello
So very sad. We have lost so many classmates. I was going to meet up with Dave during this trip to Syracuse. I have not visited with him since 1965 but many Facebook conversations. I waited too long. But this gives me the opportunity to tell the rest of my classmates I have so many great memories of F-M and many of you. It gives me the opportunity to tell you all how much your friendship means to me, even though much of it is on Facebook. It gives me the opportunity to say thank you for being a part of my life and wish you all the very best in the time we have left. It gives me the opportunity to say ... In Jesus' name. God Bless...
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Melinda Mussi Lockwood
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Linda Van Deven Beidleman
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Dave Courtwright, I don't remember well. I know we went to school together, most likely had some classes together. It's 'funny" how things work out. We became friends again, on FaceBook, and my husband, Ed Cranford, and Dave shared their Vietnam experiences together, often. They were the brothers that anyone who was in that war become. He will be missed by us both. Our prayers go out to his family and friends.
Thank you. So hard to loose so many so fast.
Linda Badgley D'Agostino
Linda Badgley D'Agostino
