As we celebrate his 50th Birthday today, I pulled out an email that I have kept since the day he left the 1st Marine Division G-6. Charlie hired me as a GS after 7 years of working at the G-6 as a contractor, I was at an appointment on his last day. So I sent him an email thanking him for everything he did for me, and a couple of things in his reply made my day. He told me that he was skeptical about hiring me, but that he could not deny the experience I brought to the G-6. And that looking back he stated it was the best hire he ever had any involvement with. He stated that he loved my tenacity, and that I was "HIS" Pitbull, and that he enjoyed working with me even though I gave him a hard time about an Ohio State T-Shirt he would wear to PT in. Being a Michigan Man I would occasionally send him emails or put Michigan stuff in his office. It was all in good fun and he get a good laugh out of it. As time has rolled by I look at the memorial plaque that sits in the G-6 with his picture and bio on it, it is a reminder everyday for me to live up to the standards that Col Dowling set for me when he hired me. I Miss You Sir! 

Semper Fi, God Speed, Rest Peacefully! 

Recently I was reminiscing about some of my old friends and wondering where life had brought them. In particular, I thought of who was my relief in the Comm Dept at MCAS Tustin, CA.  Being the old salt I considered myself and just starting my second enlistment, he came aboard as my replacement before I headed to Camp Lejeune. Corporal Dowling was enthusiastic as new Marines normally were and what better place to be than in Southern California?  For the short amount of time we knew one another we became friends and eventually invited him over for some culinary delights what home cooking could bring.  Being newlyweds, Val and I experienced the usual technical problems that come along with cooking chicken.  Needless to say, the three of us agreed that pizza was a better option as we shared stories and laughs that night. The time spent then and the short remaining weeks that remained in Tustin was something not realized then but in my youth and naiveté, I took for granted. 

I must admit that after discovering Charlie’s passing I was surprised and saddened.  Reading over these tributaries that Corporal, and eventually Colonel, Dowling was a man who had that same enthusiasm, concern, and moral compass which withstood the close to 30 years that have passed between then and now.  Looking back on those memories, there was no surprise when he shared how he had been accepted to Embassy Guard duty and then into the MECEP program.  Charlie had traits that embodied integrity and professionalism.  Traits of the Marine Corps and traits that most people could only wish they had. 

In closing and to his wife, children, parents, all parts of his family, and all Marines who he has touched…

I cannot express how Val and I are so lucky as to have had Charlie a part of our lives (as brief as it had been).  Evident of that is that before sharing the news about Charlie, I showed her a picture of Colonel Dowling and without hesitation, she exclaimed, “That’s Charlie!”