Dear Editor,

Recently a McDonough resident, Shelbe Gosdin, donated three beautiful, concrete benches in honor of three veterans at the Veterans Wall of Honor in Heritage Park. The benches bear the names of Fred Glassey, Wesley Ernest Kutch, and myself, Philip Gatlin.

Wes Kutch is a long-term friend of mine who was more than just a friend. He came to Miami as a teenager to live with relatives. His relatives were friends of mine and attended the same church I did in Miami. Wes and I became friends at introduction. A short time after coming to Florida, he asked if my mother would mind if he moved in with us. He already felt that my mother was his mother and I told him Mom would accept him.

We lived together, churched together and joined the Marine Reserves together (VMF-142). This Marine squadron was located at what was once a part of a large Marine-Navy base near Miami. When we decided to go active duty, Wes stayed with the Marines and I joined the Air Force. I always wanted to be a Marine and even called a recruiter during WWII when I was almost seven years old. The recruiter said, “Son, how old are you?” I said, “Six, almost seven.” He replied, “Son, call me back in 10 years.” I said, “Ok,” and that’s what I actually did. I joined the Marine Reserves when I was 16 with my mother’s approval. I was proud to be a Marine and was hoping I could go to Korea during the war. Wes and I, along with some cousins, spent a lot of time in the Everglades, at gun ranges and involved in numerous other outdoor activities.

When Wes decided to go active duty (he was six months older than I) I was advised that if I wanted the best opportunity in electronics, I should join the Air Force. After much thought and pushing, I joined the Air Force. The hardest part of that decision meant that Wes and I would be going in separate directions. Our friendship (we introduced ourselves as “brothers”) was solid and remained so through the Vietnam War and after. He served three tours in Vietnam and received numerous awards. I served six years in the Air Force and then started my civilian career. We remained close friends right up until his passing and I have always been proud of his service in the Marines and the fact that I was his friend.

Philip W. Gatlin,
Blairsville, Georgia