I NEVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING DIRK IN PERSON BUT WE WERE CYBER PALS WITH MUCH IN COMMON. A GREAT SENSE OF LOSS OVERCAME ME WHEN MIKE VAGI INFORMED ME THAT DIRK HAD PASSED AWAY OCT 13, 2006. I WILL NOT RECOUNT HIS MANY DEEDS, MANNY OF THEM I DO NOT KNOW. HE WAS A CADET AT RMA IN 1971 AND 1972. WHEN I LEARNED THAT HE WAS IN IRAQ LAST YEAR. WE THE CADETS OF RMA SENT HIM ONE OF OUR COFFEE MUGS. HIS COMMENT AFTER GETTING IT. "THAT WAS THE BEST CUP OF COFFEE I HAD IN A LONG TIME, THANKS" I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU HAD A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP, AND YOU WILL REMEMBER HIM AS WELL. MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN IN THEIR TIME OF LOSS. COL. DIRK SPANTON, I SALUTE YOU.

GENE SHALANDER SR.