I never really knew Gary Long.  At least, not as well as I should have or as early as I should have.  I first met Gary when I entered the ROTC program at Duquesne University in 1975 - more years ago than I care to think about now. Gary was already a cadet there, having been in the four-year program as opposed to my two-year commitment.  He was quiet and unassuming; traits that I think that all that knew him would say described him well. As he commuted and I was a resident, we never saw each other except for those ROTC sessions and events. The fact that he was married at the time also limited his group of acquaintances.  Once he confided in me that he thought he had not been able to experience college life the way I had and that he had some regret over it.  I replied in hindsight that he might have made more of his educational experience than I did.

I was a poor ROTC cadet.  I came in at the end of the Vietnam War and to say I was somewhat of liberal in those days would be an understatement. Because of that, Gary and I didnt move in the same social circles.  In fact I dont think we really cared for each other then.

But Garys' trust and faith in the Army and his country even at that time was firm and unwavering, whereas my commitment was weak and doubtful.  I had to learn those values he already held close.  You meet a lot of people when you're in the Army, and I've met so many fine men and women in our service.  I love my country, and I take pride in serving her.  But I cannot say that I love her more or as well as Gary Long did.

After graduation we all split up and went on to separate careers and destinies.  Occasionally I heard of Gary - a byline for a letter he wrote to Armor magazine; a mutual friend who was assigned to 3-64 Armor in the old 3rd Infantry Division; a notice of promotion in Army Times; one time a brief 2-3 sentence conversation with him after he had left active service and was with the 99th ARCOM.  But I never tried to maintain contact him.  After all, we had nothing in common - or so I thought.

In the fall of 1994, I moved to Pittsburgh to take a position with the 99th ARCOM.  I knew I'd see Gary there.  After arriving, I was surprised to see how much we had in common - from a love of history and a sense of how the study of history could affect what we do professionally, which soon manifested itself in Gary as a passion for living history - a hobby I introduced him to which I count myself lucky to have shared with him for the past five years - to a fascination with the processes and mechanics of Army structure and development.  He was superb to work with on a project and to work with both as a peer and as a subordinate.  He would not take chances or make quick decisions.  He liked to weigh everything up carefully.  Yet when he gave his commitment he did it wholeheartedly.  You knew exactly where you stood with Gary.  I will miss him as a fount of general knowledge.  If you ever needed to know anything there was always a good chance that Gary would know the answer.  If he didn't he'd make sure he found the answer for you.

I never really knew Gary Long.  But I will miss him now most of all as a friend because good friends like Gary don't happen often in a lifetime.  So much in common -and it took me 17 years to realize it.

I never really knew Gary Long.  But I wish I had known him better.  I know he was a good son, a loving and faithful husband, a good soldier, a respected and capable officer, a good American, and an extraordinary human being.  I wish I had known before his passing just how great an honor his friendship was.

I never really knew Gary Long.  And I think he would be surprised if he saw so many people gathered here to mourn him.  Gary was, after all, a quiet man.  He liked solitude.  It wouldn't occur to him that he was so popular, that he will be missed so much.  Yet the very fact that so many have gathered to celebrate his life says much more about him, and his kindness than mere words.  Today many people mourn him.  His devoted wife, Robin and his family will, of course, miss him most of all.  I hope though, that she and they will take comfort in the fact that so many others too, will miss him for so many different reasons.

I never really knew Gary Long.  But children loved Gary and he loved them.  This man had no trouble at all in conversing with a four-year old.  I can remember Gary playing with my own children when they were much littler and their screams of delight as he swung them around and their contentment as they sat on his lap by the fireside at night.  Children, you see, are the best judges of character.  They might not be able to put names on words like decency and honor but they knew that he was a good man.

Although what we've lost is tremendous, what Gary gave us is immeasurable.  To those who knew him, no explanation is necessary. To those who didn't, no explanation is possible.

I searched for a long time for these poor and inadequate words to talk of my friend and comrade in arms.  Both of us confessed to each other at one time a love of the English poet Rudyard Kipling.  It seems fitting to add some of Kipling now since that author described friendship so well with his poem, The Thousandth Man -

"One man in a thousand, Solomon says, Will stick more close than a brother.

And it's worthwhile seeking him half your days, If you find him before the other.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend on what the world sees in you,

But the Thousandth man will stand your friend with the whole round world against you.

'Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show will settle the finding for he.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em go by your looks, or your acts, or your glory.

But if he finds you and you find him, the rest of the world don't matter;

For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim with you in any water.

You can use his purse with no more talk than he uses yours for his spendings,

And laugh and meet in your daily walk as though there had been no lendings.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em call for silver and gold in their dealings;

But the Thousandth Man he's worth 'em all, because you can show him your feelings.

His wrong's your wrong, and his right's your right, in season or out of season.

Stand up and back it in all men's sight -- with that for your only reason.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine can't bide the shame or mocking or laughter,

But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side to the gallows-foot -- and after."

It is time to leave you, Gary.  Let us leave you and say good-bye with the passwords that bind all soldiers and their wives and their children, their friends and their colleagues forever.  Until Next Post...my friend.  God keep you.  Sua Sponte.

Steve Patarcity

Colonel, Armor, U.S. Army

Captain of Rangers