American Legion Cherry Hill NJ Post 372Posted on by
It is with deep regret we inform you of the passing of Legionniare, Dave Larsen. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, and Auxiliary member, Peggy Larsen and the rest of their family. Dave was a friend to many and a great asset to the American Legion.He will be sorely missed. Funeral arrangements below. Please also read the Poem Dave wrote about his experience in Vietnam (under obit) and a video of him reading it at The Wall That Heals in Moorestown, NJ in 2013.
David M. Larsen
(November 30, 1948 – August 17, 2016)
On August 17, 2016, age 68, of Cherry Hill, NJ. He was the beloved husband of Margaret (nee Manga) and loving father of Kelly (Michael) Baughman and Chrystie (Christopher) Walsh. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren Charlotte, Caroline, Lilly, and William Baughman. Dave was a contractor who had his own heating and air conditioning business in South Jersey for many years. He was a US Army Vietnam War veteran and a member and past officer of American Legion Post 372 Cherry Hill. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with his family on Friday morning August 26, 2016 from 10:30-11:30 AM in the Alloway Funeral Home 315 E. Maple Avenue Merchantville, NJ. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:30 AM in the funeral home. Interment will be private.
ESCORT & FLAG LINE
Rally Location: American Legion, 1532 Martin Ave., Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Rally Time: 9:45am
KSU: 10am
Road Captain: Robert Arcinese
Proceed to Alloway Funeral Home, 315 E. Maple Ave., Merchantville, NJ—Flag Line to be in place by 10:15am
Escort from Alloway Funeral Home to the American Legion after the services.
David M. Larsen—(November 30, 1948 – August 17, 2016)
On August 17, 2016, age 68, of Cherry Hill, NJ. He was the beloved husband of Margaret (nee Manga) and loving father of Kelly (Michael) Baughman and Chrystie (Christopher) Walsh. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren Charlotte, Caroline, Lilly, and William Baughman. Dave was a contractor who had his own heating and air conditioning business in South Jersey for many years. He was a US Army Vietnam War veteran and a member and past officer of American Legion Post 372 Cherry Hill. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with his family on Friday morning August 26, 2016 from 10:30-11:30 AM in the Alloway Funeral Home 315 E. Maple Avenue Merchantville, NJ. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:30 AM in the funeral home. Interment will be private.
IS TONIGHT THE NIGHT I DIE
WENT THROUGH BASIC, PIECE OF CAKE
THEN AIT I DID NOT THINK I’D MAKE
I DID BUT MY MIND WAS NOT THE SAME WHEN I WOULD WAKE
WHAT WERE THEY DOING
AND WHERE WAS I GOING
OFF TO BENNING TO LEARN TO BE IN CHARGE
MY SHOULDERS AND HEAD BECOMING QUITE LARGE
WHY SHOULD I BE TRYING
ARE THEY SETTING ME UP FOR DYING
WHEN MY STRIPES WERE EARNED I WAS PROUD
BUT YET IN MY MIND IT WAS LOUD
ARE THEY SETTING ME UP FOR DYING
OFF TO NAM AS A 20 YEAR OLD NCO
TO BE IN CHARGE OF SOMETHING I DID NOT KNOW
ASSIGNED TO 2/1 RECON KNOWN AS ONE OF THE BEST
BUT FOR SOME REASON I COULD NOT REST
FATE OR WHATEVER I DID NOT KNOW WHY
IS TONIGHT THE NIGHT I DIE
OFF THE CHOPPER AND INTO THE BUSH
I NEVER HAD SUCH A RUSH
THE WOUNDED GOING BACK AS I STRUGGLED WITH MY PACK
BEING SCARED AND NERVOUS I DIDN’T HAVE TO TRY
IS TONIGHT NIGHT I DIE
HIDING AND OBSERVING BY DAY, AMBUSHING AT NIGHT
SWEARING THAT IT WOULD NEVER GET LIGHT
THEY WOULD CALL ME SARGE
AND SUDDENLY THAT NAME SEEMED TOO LARGE
AS THE BODY COUNTS GREW
THE TIME FOR CONTACT WAS OVERDUE
IS TONIGHT THE NIGHT I DIE
ORDERS WOULD COME FOR ME TO GIVE
BUT MY MAIN CONCERN WAS FOR MY MEN TO LIVE
WALKING POINT I’D BE ALL ALONE
TRIP WIRES AND TRAPS WAITING TO EXPLODE
THEN ALL HELL WOULD BREAK LOOSE
AND THE ADRENALINE WOULD FLOW
OUR MUTUAL RESPECT WOULD ONLY GROW
WE ALL FELT AS ONE
BUT I STILL DID NOT KNOW
IS TONIGHT THE NIGHT I DIE
WHEN NEAR OVERRUN AND WE MUST REACT
HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS LAX
I MUST REMAIN STRONG AND LEAD MY MEN
AT THIS POINT I AM NOT LOOKING FOR A FRIEND
MONSOONS, LEECHES, SNIPERS TO NAME A FEW
SO MANY EXPERIENCES ONLY WE VETERANS KNEW
BOYS TO MEN IN SUCH A SHORT TIME
SO MANY DEATHS WAS SUCH A CRIME
I MADE IT HOME BUT WAS TOTALLY LOST
I DID WHAT I WANTED AT ANY COST
MEMORIES IMBEDDED THAT CAN’T BE LOST
30 YEARS HAVE GONE BY
BUT NOT ONE DAY HAS PASSED
WITHOUT ME WONDERING
IS TONIGHT THE NIGHT I DIE
SSGT. DAVID LARSEN
2/1 RECON
196TH LIB
AMERICAN DIVISION
1970
David M. Larsen