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Edward "Buck" P. Monroe, Jr. Final Flight on March 16, 2012
Edward "Buck" P. Monroe, Jr., Major, USAF (Retired) 1934 - March 16, 2012
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Major Edward Penniwitte Monroe, Jr. - 1934-2012
USAF (Ret.) Major Edward Penniwitte Monroe, Jr. known by his friends and family as “Buck” passed away on Friday, March 16, 2012 while resting peacefully at his home.
Born in Woodbridge, Virginia he was the son of the late Edward P. Monroe, Sr. and Marie Plaskett Monroe. He was preceded in death by his three sisters: Sue Lazaar, Mary Olson, and Ruth Schmitt.
Buck was 77 years old and a Retired U.S. Air Force veteran with over 22 years of service including duty in Vietnam where he served as a combat and rescue helicopter pilot. His service and valor as a pilot earned him the medal of the Distinguished Flying Cross. The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself in support of operations by ‘heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight.’ He was a graduate of East Carolina University and was a charter member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.
After retirement from the Air Force, Buck earned his degree in Environmental Engineering at USC-Sumter and worked as a State Inspector for DHEC. In 1988, he sank his heart into a hands-on refurbishment of the Taft Bass House, an historic Southern estate in Clinton, North Carolina. He returned to Sumter in 2009 after residing in Clinton for over twenty years.
He is survived by his attentive wife of fifty-two years, Marie Autry Monroe, originally of Clinton, North Carolina; and his four children, Edward Penniwitte Monroe, III (Katherine) of Sumter, William Stacy Monroe (Jennifer) of Spartanburg, Brian Lindsey Monroe of Sumter, and his “baby girl”, Bethanie Monroe Bass (Wayne) of Los Angeles, CA. His sons have given him eight grandchildren: Lindsey, Caroline, Madeline, Joseph, David, Catherine, Nathan, and Marc.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. Tuesday March 20th at the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory at 221 Broad Street in Sumter. For more information on the funeral arrangements call (803) 775-9386.
Graveside services will be held at 11 A.M. Wednesday March 21st at Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 4170 Percival Road in Columbia with Father Charles Walton officiating.
On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com.
All contributions in memoriam for USAF (Ret.) Major Edward Penniwitte Monroe, Jr. can be made to DAV, Disabled American Veterans, P.O. BOX 5317, W. Columbia, SC 29171.
Bethanie Monroe's Fundraiser ~RUNNING FOR BUCK MONROE~ BENEFITING: Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, Inc. EVENT: ASICS LA Marathon 2013 EVENT DATE: Mar 17, 2013 DAY TO GO: 1 ~THE STORY~
This year I will be running the LA Marathon in memory of my father. He is remembered for his military service as USAF Major Edward P. Monroe, Jr. His friends knew him as Bucky Monroe or Buck for short. To me, he was simply my Dad. He died on March 15, 2012. He was seventy-seven years old.
I am also running to raise funds for the Disabled American Veterans organization to honor my Dad and his service in the US Air Force. The DAV took care of my father in his last years and they work hard on behalf of our returning service men and women struggling with not only physical injuries, but also post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. They say over 50% of all returning vets suffer from PTSD. I think that statistic should be more like 100%.
My Dad was a Vietnam Veteran. He was a chopper pilot – Hueys to be exact. He could have flown jets but he liked helicopters best because he always said they were more fun.
My Dad struggled with PTSD and he never spoke much of Vietnam. It wasn’t until after his death that we found out he had been awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross. This medal is one of the top honors bestowed upon an enlisted member of the US Air Force. It is given in recognition of ‘heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight’.
No one in my family knew about it. No one knew what he had done. The medal had been buried in his bureau for over forty years. We later found out that he rescued six men in August of 1969. They were trapped behind enemy lines and surrounded with little chance of survival. He landed his chopper in jungle so thick he couldn’t see the sky once he was on the ground but they made it out.
There are families out there who saw their fathers, sons, and brothers come home alive because of Buck Monroe. I am immensely proud of my father.
Major Monroe will always be my hero, not because of a medal, but because he was my Dad. I still remember sitting on the floor as a little girl with my foot balanced up on his knee as he taught me to tie my shoes.
He told me once that his proudest moment as my father was watching me race in elementary school at a field day event. It was probably a 100 meter dash and I don’t even remember if I placed but he said he knew in that moment as I raced, red-faced and determined, that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to.
So on March 17th, 2013 when the starting gun fires I will race for my Dad and for all veterans from all wars in honor of their service to our country. I know my father will be watching and he will be with me every step of the way. He used to always call me his angel… Now he is mine. ~LINK TO FUNDRASING PAGE~ http://www.crowdrise.com/RunningforBuckMonroe/fundraiser/BethanieMonroe
GUEST BOOK
Eligio Betancourt Please accept my utmost condolences of my friend and fellow warrior of the Mt Vernon High School Majors of the 51-54 era. I played halfback, fullback, kickoffs and punt returns and many positions of defense. Bucky laid out some great blocks on all of my returns and running plays. God, I wish I had known where he lived. What a friendship. We had not spoken since high school graduation. We went different ways. I had a football scholarship to NC State and he went to East Carolina. Bucky always had a good head on his shoulders when it came to academics. He went on to more and greater things (this made me very proud.) I did not complete my studies. Please feel free to get in touch with me. Condolences to the family. Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Versell Wood Bethanie and Wayne, I am so sorry for your loss. I know Buck was a very special Dad and father in law. Though it is not possible for me to be there, my love and prayers are with you accross the miles. Versell Wood (Nanny) Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Clinton Medical Clinic- Dr. Yang's office. So sorry to hear of Mr. Monroe's passing- he was a special patient here at CMC. Dr. Yang Lois and Betty Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Roger and Marge Scott Another great Helicopter Pilot buddy has passed on. We had some great times flying "choppers" in DC. Marge and I cherish memories of the wonderful vacation we enjoyed with Bucky and Marie in Thailand. It was a precious time. He will be in our prayers. Monday, 19 March 2012
Marcia Hoffheimer Brian, I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I know he will be greatly missed. My prayers are with you and your family. Love, Marcia Monday, 19 March 2012
Terence Everington Brian, My heart, prayers and thoughts are with you, my friend. I am glad that he and the family is at peace with this and pray for it to continue. Celebrate the man, father and friend that he was in life and is in memory. Take care and God bless! Terey Monday, 19 March 2012
Jim Livingston Brian I have a great respect and Love for your Mom and Dad and it saddens me that he has passed, he was always a guy that made me smile. Jim Monday, 19 March 2012
John and Julie Sarpy Saints of God, come to his aid! Come to meet him, angels of the Lord! Receive his soul and present him to God the Most High. May Christ, Who called you, take you to Himself; may angels lead you to Abraham's side. Receive his soul and present him to God the Most High. Give him eternal rest, O Lord, and may Your light shine upon him forever. Monday, 19 March 2012
LPL Financial We are sorry for your loss. I was Glad I was able to meet him that day. Please call us if you need anything and we are thinking of you and your family. All of us at LPL, Stephen Cissom Monday, 19 March 2012
USAF (Ret) Major Eugene L. Whitfield Marie & Family, Eileen & I send our deepest sympathy. We will miss Bucky very much. Sorry we will not be able to attend the funeral, but our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Buddy and Eileen Monday, 19 March 2012
Arren & Karen Goodwin Our deepest condolences for your loss. You all continue in our prayers Sunday, 18 March 2012
Roberta Cavalcante Bmon, From the stories you have told me and from knowing you all these years, I can tell your dad was a happy man. He was a fighter for sure. I wish you and your family well. Keep strong. Positive thoughts and prayers for you. Ro Sunday, 18 March 2012
Ron and Margaret Lackey To Bethanie and all of your family, We're thankful that we had the opportunity to meet your dad (Buck) and will cherish the memories we made at your beautiful wedding in Clinton. Our heart-felt sympathy and prayers are with you, your mom and brothers during this time. Love, Uncle Ron and Aunt Margaret Sunday, 18 March 2012
Amy Brownewell Bethanie, I am thinking of you and your family. We are praying for you all during this time of great loss. I am sorry to hear of your fathers passing. We love you Love Amy & Ralph Sunday, 18 March 2012
David and Martha Bass Buck's "baby girl" Bethanie became our precious daughter in law in 2000 and the Monroe family found a special place in our heart. Marie, thank you for being an attentive wife truly "til death do us part"...what an admirable trait. The memories David and I shared with Buck Monroe will be cherished and may the sweet memories he left each of you be comforting as you walk through this lonesome valley of grief. Buck fought a good fight, he finished the race and he kept the faith. Now he is sheltered safe within the arms of God. Our love and prayers are with you, David and Martha Bass Saturday, 17 March 2012
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"FREEDOM ISN'T FREE" ~SOMEONE PAYS FOR YOU AND ME~ "HELICOPTERS" - THE ONLY WAY TO FLY ~NEVER FORGOTTEN~ |
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