Memorial Day Rememberances
Received email from Daryl Rotman
I am writing this in memory of
a Coastie named Jimmy Hilliard. Jimmy and I were stationed on
Upolu Point Loran Station in 1972-73. Jimmy was attacked by a
local on the big Island of Hawaii. I believe Jimmy received less
than adequate medical treatment and he died of his injuries. For
that I am truly sorry. I have often thought how shocking it must
have been to his family to receive the notice, that there son
died in such a quite peaceful part of the world. But because of
this, when I had my accident the hospital in Hilo called my
Commanding Officer and told him, they did not want another
Coastie to die under local medical care. So within 3 hours I was
on a C-130 being airlifted to Tripler Army Medical Center in
Honolulu. There I had a great surgeon and a hospital staff with
a lot of experience because of all the wounded service men
coming from Vietnam.
I have always felt that because of you
Jimmy, I am alive today. I have always remembered you, but never
took the time honored you publicly. So I do now. So Jimmy this
Memorial Day weekend I am writing of you, so others may know of
you.