Contributions to the tribute of Allan J. Chichester

d

The family of Allan J. Chichester uploaded a photo

Thursday, July 13, 2017

R

Friday, March 28, 2014

Your an American Hero and a considerate, warm hearted, man. You will be missed so much! You have been responsible for saving and creating many wonderful lives. May you rest in peace.

C

Clara Kelly posted a condolence

Friday, March 28, 2014

I did not know Allan personally, but my dear friend spoke so highly of him that I am sure he must have been a quality person. Prayers for his family and all those who love him. Death leaves a heartache that no one can heal, but love leaves a memory which no one can steal.

C

Charles & Sharon DiGangi posted a condolence

Thursday, March 27, 2014

I am told by one of my loved one, that you are a good man, Allan. Although we have never met, I have been told you are a United States Marine. As a retired Navy Master Chief, I have been very, very close to many Marines, some of which to this day are my best friends. Therefore I speak to you in the present, since the spirit of a good Marine always lives on. You are only in a different place, but you have taken the spirit of one of my loved ones with you and left yours with her. I thank you for that and for all that you have done for others and for your country. ...and so others who read this understand these words regarding you, Allan, I am providing the following. What is left unsaid in the motto is notable. The phrase "Semper Fi " means "Always Faithful." It isn't "Sometimes Faithful." Nor is it "Usually Faithful," but always. It is not negotiable. It is not relative, but absolute. Who is always faithful, though. and to what, exactly are they faithful? Interestingly, the simplicity of the phrase and the calculated neglect to specify its parameters seems to strengthen it. Marines pride themselves on their straightforward mission and steadfast dedication to accomplish it. Things do not need to be spelled out for them; they know what it means and what to do about it. Even though Marines are known to swell with pride from time to time (they do, after all, have a noble legacy to continue), they are not snobbish. Even the use of Latin must make them uncomfortable, because they shorten an already-short motto to the more colloquial "Semper Fi." This does not misrepresent the phrase; it simply symbolizes the ability of common people to become part of a brotherhood that demands more of its members than any other comparable group in the world. The longer I am out of the service, the more I recognize my draw to and longing for the culture of "Semper Fidelis." I suspect that reading this will impart nothing significant to Allen, as you are already are aware of your glorious charge. It is my earnest hope, that it may help those who have known Allen, understand the reason Marines hold the Corps in such high esteem and what has gone into him to make him the man he is. All those references by former Marines, in their new jobs, to "back when I was in The Corps," will begin to make a little more sense. Marines are imbued with Semper Fidelis, and all it means, and because they lived it, they have difficulty accepting any less from others. So Allen, although we have never met, I know Marines. That means I know YOU. Having become a Marine will help take you to the hight level of heaven. .... so have a wonderful life in the life everlasting. You have earned it! SEMPER FI, Marine! from a brother and family of the United States Navy and a loved one of someone special to you, Mary Lee DiGangi.

M

Mary L. DiGangi posted a condolence

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Allan and I were communicating over the last 6 months. I sent this to him on January 4, 2014 in response to his telling me that he thought he really messed up his life....and that if he had stayed in school he could have done even better and helped even more people. It was always in his heart to help people.... I didn't think the funeral was the place for me to read this..but I wanted to share it publicly as a memorial to his life. I have edited out the personal things..... Allan: I do want to tell you how I see you-through your writings, letters and the music you send me. First of all...when I started reading your stories I thought you had gone back to school and taken some writing classes. As a former English teacher from just a literary perspective your writing was amazing. But even so, classes can't make you a writer and you are one..the way you play with words...the vivid descriptons...the way you make comparisons...I remember them even now...they just hit you in the face with the power of them...your stories are compelling...but it is your writing and experience of them that makes them so. And even though your stories are so specific to your experience in Vietnam and life...they are universal to your readers because they are about life even more than the events your are describing. I can't say enough...I am a fan of your writing...I hope for more. And you are noble Allan....and honorable....this is why I admired you and still do for taking Denny's place in Vietnam...but your nobility goes beyond that decision...your love and loyalty to your friends and your honoring of them all...in different ways....visiting the War Memorial in Washington, the Gardens of stone on all the service holidays, writing their stories...keeping their memories and their sacrifices alive for us all to honor them as well....and you. And, even though you have seen and grappled with such vileness and evil in the war....there is still an innocence about you...a sweetness. You did not lose it all in Vietnam. You are a truth teller...and you are helpful and kind...you have a BIG heart...and are playful and fun...you are a man of chracter....you are sensitive and creative...even while you are this "man's" man...strong and big in your spirit....and though you say to me that you are a regular guy...a common man....I find NOTHING regular or common about you. There is more than one way to get an education in life...you are curious and VERY intelligent....you are a seeker.......you check things out...and you have the special gift of seeing around the surface with people and situations...an intuition...you sense and know things in people...even when they don't. It's probably what made you so good walking the point in Vietnam. It's a gift Allan...you can't just develop it...you either have it or you don't...and it is RARE. You are a pitbull...relentless when it comes to finishing what you have begun...whether it was the marathons you ran...or your work...or whatever. You are deliberate and intentional...not given to impulse...people DO like you...you are a born leader and at 63 ....I think you have a lot of time and tread left. You are what I call an eagle, Allan. They are not in bunches squawking over a piece of bread in a parking lot like a bunch of seagulls. Eagles soar....they fly high and see the depths of life...well above others...and more than others even consider. They pay a price for their majesty...they are rare....they're often alone...sometimes lonely... they mate for life....there aren't alot of other eagles around....but when they find each other ...it's amazing. I am not cheerleading you...I am admiring you...I am looking at everything you show me ...and like others who know you...you have touched my soul. The more you talk to me the more I marvel over the man you are.... I know you are not a perfect man....or even an easy man....but you astonish me with your energy and your heart. I am so glad to know you again...and to speak these words to you. To Allan's family: thank you for letting me come and be a part of your gathering yesterday to say goodbye to this unique, big-hearted, loving and special man. Thank you for letting me speak these words as my memorial to him. I pray for you all and join you in the sorrow of Allan's death. With you all I look forward to seeing him again...until that time...blessings and Peace to you all. Mary DiGangi

R

Renee Blazak posted a condolence

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Sorry to hear the loss of a great man. Prayers go out to the family...

W

Wanda Toland Caldwell posted a condolence

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Our entire family is sorry to hear of your loss. I will miss seeing Allan walking through Mt. Morris during the warm weather. We were lucky enough to visit with Allan on Murray Hill before Dad passed and he filled us in our family happenings. He will truly be missed.

L

Linda and Bill Washington posted a condolence

Monday, March 24, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers for your family at this difficult time. It is hard to say goodbye to a brother, uncle, nephew and especially Dad. May the beautiful memories sustain you at this time.

Allan J. Chichester

1950 - 2014

Plant a tree in memory of Allan