This is one of my favorite pictures of my Uncle. He lost his fight early this morning to cancer, it was never a fair fight, but he fought it with every fiber of his soul. He served Honorably in Vietnam, came home and found peace and family. He was a great man, one of the nicest people you would ever meet. A true family man and a man of God, who would go out of his way to help others at any cost.
He touched so many lives, everywhere he went. I am very sad that he suffered this way towards the end of it, but I find great comfort in knowing that he went surrounded by family and love and that his physical pain is no longer. I will miss you Tio, thank you for being a great father, and uncle.
In the Marine Corps, our service is never over. It is a fraternity that has no end. The bond between Marines is something that has to be lived to understand. We live and die as Marines. My uncle is now standing guard at the pearly gates. One day I will relieve you of your duty. Until then you have the watch. I love you, Tio.” -Gil Riv