He was a young kid from Hawaii, so everyone in the unit called him “Pineapple.” 

You’d always find him smiling and laughing. I mean, always. No matter the conditions - mud up to our knees, rain blowing sideways, no sleep, no hot food – good ol’ Pineapple would still find something funny.

And once he started laughing, it wasn’t long before all of us were laughing with him.

Lemme tell ya, out there in the jungles of Vietnam, that was much-needed laughter. 

Pineapple had a knack for making every situation lighter and everybody better. If you had to get into the thick of it, you wanted Pineapple right by your side.

A good man, that Pineapple. 

Now, at the time, I was looking forward to shipping back home and getting married to my favorite girl, Patricia. I dreamed of cleaning up, wearing a nice clean suit, and trading Army boots for dress shoes.

It became a reality when my First Sergeant told me, “Pass, get your duffle bag. You’re leaving the jungle in seven days.”

That was April 27th, 1968. A few days later, on May 11th, I was back home marrying the love of my life. It was to be a day that we would always remember. But it was also a day I’ll never forget... because that same day, four of my brothers back in Vietnam were killed.

That. Same. Day.

I never could’ve imagined that while I was standing here starting my life, they were still over there losing theirs. 

According to a letter written to me by Danny Duran, they were killed in an ambush. One more made it back to basecamp, but later succumbed to his wounds.

Y’know, looking back, I didn’t want to leave them behind. And to this day, I still wonder... what if I had been there? Would I have noticed something? Could I have done something to keep my guys alive?

We were just boys. But they were MY boys. Four of the greatest guys I’ve ever known. Including a bright, smiling Hawaiian kid affectionately known as Pineapple.

Memorial Day isn’t just remembering a bunch of names. It’s a solemn day to honor those who selflessly served and sacrificed everything for the greater good.

Thanks for the laughs, Pineapple. And thank you for your service. I will never forget you.

Thanks for reading.

Sgt. Francis Pass

Blackhorse Regiment 

11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

U.S. Army

P.S. - God bless our veterans.