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LTC Rennie M. Cory, Jr. USA
Rennie was a member of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. NC 1 as well as being in the active military. He was a friend, a comrade, and a brother in arms. To those of us who had the privilege and pleasure of spending time with him, he was a man of honor, duty and loyalty. He was proud of the work he was doing and asked many questions of those of us who had served in Vietnam. Rennie died in a helicopter crash 7 April 2001 along with 6 other Americans and 9 Vietnamese during a routine mission while preparing for a recovery operation involving unaccounted-for Americans lost during the Vietnam War. At the time, he was the commander, Detachment 2, Joint Task Force-Full Accounting.
Major Thomas
Malcolm Stanley, USA (retired)
Tom loved the wind in his face and the highway under his tires. Scoot or cage, Tom could always be counted on to be at the chapter's activities. Generally, the first to arrive and the last to leave. Quick with a hug and kiss, hearty handshake and a smile, he will be missed by all of us who knew and loved him. Tom passed away on December 18, 2004 after a hard fought battle with cancer. God's Speed Brother!!
Edward Alvin
"Pappy" Ellis, Jr.
Edward Ellis - known by all as "Pappy" - served 21 years in the U.S. Army before retiring in 1991 as a SFC. He was an active member in Rolling Thunder from the very beginning. Pappy was a quiet man, but when he spoke, he was heard. He loved his family, his country, and his bike. Where ever Pappy was, you were sure to see his little shadow, his grandson Tony. Pappy passed away December 1, 2005 after a long fight with the damage that was caused due to Agent Orange from his tour in Vietnam. He is missed by us all here, but riding among his brother in Heaven's Rolling Thunder.
Elmer E. "Tink" Lewis
Elmer Elias “Tink” Lewis Jr., 71, passed away Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. He was surrounded by every one of his children and grandchildren. This was representative of the kind of man that he was and the family he raised. Tink served in the U.S. Marine Corps and retired from Bethlehem Steel. He was an active member of Rolling Thunder®, N.C. Chapter 1, and enjoyed Harleys and antique cars. If there was a Rolling Thunder event happening, you could pretty much always count on seeing him and that big Ultra Classic with the sidecar. He was a man of integrity and instilled in his children a strong work ethic and the importance of family. Tink’s infectious laugh and sense of humor will be missed by all.
Alva Giles (A.G.) Martin
A.G. was retired from Heilig-Meyers after 20 years of service. He also worked for Tri-State Transporters and Bestway Express Trucking Company. A.G. joined Rolling Thunder® Chapter 1 NC in 1998 and was very proud to be a part of the organization as well as always ready to do whatever possible to help the veterans. While A.G. was not a veteran, he unselfishly donated his time to VFW Post 670 for over 20 years. You could always count on A.G. to not only be there but also to be picked on by him...he often said if he didn't pick on you then he didn't like you. A.G. passed away on April 25, 2009 after an eight year battle with Dementia, Parkinson's Disease, and Alzheimer's Disease. He is missed by all who knew him.
Melvin Cooper
Melvin Cooper retired from the US Army on December 21, 1966 after 20 years of distinguished service. He served with the Occupation Forces in Germany in 1946, was sent to Korea in 1952 and later in Vietnam in 1965. In 1983 Melvin joined the VFW and later became a lifetime member. In 1984 he joined the Military Order fo the Cootie Pup Tent 24. Melvin served as Post Commander of VFW Post 670 two times (1987/88 and 1995/96). Melvin joined Rolling Thunder® Chapter 1 NC in 1997...one of the chapter's original members...and as you would expect, was a very active member. Melvin passed away on June 13, 2009. He is missed by all who knew him.
Larry Edwards
Larry W. Edwards passed away on Thursday, August 6 after a battle with cancer. He was married to Janet Murray for 38 years. They had 3 children, 2 girls and 1 son, and 3 grandchildren. Larry was an Army veteran, having served from 1965 to 1971. He was born in Savannah, GA and resided there until 1993 when we moved to North Carolina. He worked as a Deputy Sheriff for over 20 years and moved to NC to start a drug division in Robeson County. He retired from the Sheriff's Department in 1995 and bought two tractor trailers and started a trucking company. He ran the trucking company from 1995 to 2007. He was going to retire, but decided he couldn't stand being retired and went to work for ProBuild. Larry was an active member of Rolling Thunder® Chapter 1 NC and very passionate about what the organization stood for. You always knew where Larry was when we rode in parades - he was the one with the full size American and POW-MIA flags flying from the back of his bike. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Peggy Ann Goodin Orr
James Franklin
Orr
David Dan Taitano
Surviving is his daughter, Tonya Dickert and her consort, Marty Medlock, of Hodges; stepdaughters, Jo Ann Prince and her husband, James, of Paint Rock, AL and Donna Gibbs and her husband, Chris, of Carterville, IL; stepson, Frank Gipson and his wife, Tammy, of Trenton, AL; two sisters, Virginia Taitano of Agana, Guam and Deloris Taitano of Peoria, IL; brother, John Taitano and his wife, Sierra, of Agana, Guam; grandchildren, Joshua Dickert, Emily Dickert and Austin Dickert, all of Hodges, Lori Milam of Greenwood, Ashley Dickert of Anderson, Layne Gibbs of Carterville, IL, Michaela Gipson, Rusty Gipson and Samantha Gipson, all of Trenton, AL; two great grandchildren, Bailey Mae Shedd and Ella Grace Shedd of Greenwood; sisters-in-law, Kathy Taitano, Drew Taitano and Alma Taitano; a special friend, Barbara Sewell of Anderson. He was preceded in death by brothers, Joe Taitano, Frank Taitano, Art Taitano and Thomas Taitano.
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Tom Stanley was a retired Major
in the U.S. Army having served 30 years and an active member of Rolling
Thunder®.
As a member of Rolling Thunder®
NC 1 he held the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer. His list of contributions to the cause of Prisoners Of
War / Missing In Action as well as veterans would fill volumes.
Needless to say his spirit and heart made him a great person to know and
be around.
This
stone is located at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in
Fayetteville, NC. It was placed there with much love from Tom's
Rolling Thunder brothers and sisters.
David Dan Taitano,
68, of 2516 Pineview Drive, Fayetteville, NC, died Saturday, April 23,
2011 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Fayetteville. Born in Yigo,
Guam, he was a son of the late Francisco Salas and Virginia Guerrero
Taitano. He was retired from the US Army, was a member of the
Rolling Thunder Inc Chapter 1 NC and was of the Baptist faith.