My friend John was “promoted to glory” on Feb. 15. My wife and I were just out in California and a group of us took time to have lunch with him. You wouldn’t know John if I just told you his full name but I will share that he was the “last to leave” during the Fall of Saigon on April 30,1975. Master Gunnery Sergeant John Valdez was the “Top” NCO for the Marine Security Battalion at the American Embassy. A tough but fair “Gunny” and combat veteran, he was in charge of the Leathernecks at the Embassy and Tan Sun Nhut Airbase. My boyhood friend and fellow Eagle Scout, L/CPL Darwin Judge and CPL Charles McMahon were assigned to the airbase and were killed by a rocket attack by the North Vietnamese on April 29,1975. Their deaths precipitated the evacuation of all American personnel during “Operation Frequent Wind” which included 7,000 Americans and Vietnamese airlifted as forces advanced on Saigon. In the early hours of April 30, 11 Marines went to the roof of the embassy as they blockaded doors realizing there were too many more to evacuate. They wondered if any other choppers were coming to get them as they saw the Communists heading their way with their headlights on. In what seemed like an eternity, they finally heard and watched as the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter headed their way and landed. They rushed onto the back ramp and did a head count, alarmed that it was only 10. Suddenly they saw two hands holding onto the edge and they rushed to pull Valdez in. He had stayed behind making sure everyone had gotten on but the pilot was eager to leave. The United States eighteen years of involvement in the Vietnam War ended as they headed to the USS Okinawa. After 32 years in the United States Marine Corps, MGySgt Juan “John” Valdez retired but never ended sharing his love for God and Country. In April 2000, “Top” and 16 other Marines came to my hometown, Marshalltown, Iowa, to honor Darwin, his family and the service and sacrifice of Americans in Southeast Asia. They also did the same in Woburn, Mass. to honor Charles. On Memorial Day 2017, “Gunny” spoke at Riverside National Cemetery in California and noted, “I believe in prayer, I believe in God, I believe in Jesus Christ.” He quoted John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” He closed his thoughts with, “May Almighty God and His precious Son Jesus Christ bless you and your loved ones to your destination. He has done that many times in my life.” Thank you, “Top” for your example of service and sacrifice in the midst of chaos. You once reminded us about Veterans, “It’s not how they died, it’s how they lived.” But with Jesus it is how He died, so we all can live! Your destination is now in His presence! Semper Fi — Always Faithful.