In Memory

Roger Norton

Submitted by Frank Cole

Roger served in Vietnam with Co. C, 3/187th, 101st Airborne Division as a machine gunner . During the Battle of Hamburger Hill, Roger was wounded on the 11th day of the battle, being struck from behind by an enemy RPG rocket, injuring him from head to toe. He was the only machine gunner from Charlie Company to actually make it to the top. Both of us returned from Vietnam at about the same time and we had a ball running around the country together. He had a new Ford Mustang and I had a new Chevy Camaro. We would decide to go to Phoenix or some other destination at the drop of a hat.

Roger was born 2 June 1949 and died 9 Oct 2004. He died of cancer of the liver as a direct result of Agent Orange poisoning from his service in Vietnam. He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Tucson.


Palo Verde should rightly be proud of his contributions to our school and our country. He will be sorely missed.

Roger had an older brother, Michael Norton who also served in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. Michael went on to retire from the Army after serving as a pilot in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. He is currently a Med-e-vac pilot is Casa Grande, AZ.

Roger had a sister named Bonnie Kay Norton, who is a Nurse practioner. She married a dentist, DR Jeffrey Fischer. They reside in Newport, Rhode Island.

His father was named Clinton. Mr Norton resides in Catalina.

 

I would like to send you a copy of a poem for old soldiers, written by a Catholic Priest and former Staff Sergeant Charles Fink who served with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in Vietnam.
***************************************************

Bury me with Soldiers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've played a lot of roles in life;
I've met a lot of men.
I've done some things I'd like to think
I wouldn't do again.
And though I'm young, I'm old enough
To know some day I'll die,
And to think about what lies beyond,
Besides whom I would lie.
Perhaps it doesn't matter much;
Still, if I had my choice,
I'd want a grave 'mongst soldiers when
At last death quells my voice.
I'm sick of the hypocrisy
Of lectures of the wise.
I'll take the man, with all the flaws,
Who goes, though scared, and dies.
~
The troops I knew were commonplace
They didn't want the war;
They fought because their fathers and
Their fathers had before.
They cursed and killed and wept---
God knows
They're easy to deride--
But bury me with men like these;
They faced the guns and died.
~
It's funny when you think of it,
The way we got along.
We'd come from different worlds
To live in one no one belongs.
I didn't even like them all;
I'm sure they'd all agree.
Yet I would give my life for them,
I know some did for me.
So bury me with soldiers, please,
Though much maligned they be.
Yes, bury me with soldiers, for
I miss their company.
We'll not soon see their likes again;
We've had our fill of war.
But bury me with men like them
Till someone else does more.

SSG (Father) Charlie Fink
199th Light Infantry Brigade
Vietnam





 
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07/27/08 11:21 PM #1    

Dan L Johnson

Last time I saw Roger was at our 20 year Class Reunion. I video tape the Reunion and he is on the tape. He will also be remembered from my old neighborhood. Roger was also one of the guys that would play baseball on an empty lot which a church is now. If it wasn't there it would be at Alamo Park. He also was one of the kids in the neighborhood I grew up with. He too will be remembered from the old neighborhood.

Dan Johnson '68

07/30/08 08:51 PM #2    

Bill Hudson

I lost touch with Roger around 8th grade. Always thought he had moved somewhere, but didn't know where? Roger was a thoughtful person, he never seemed to be mad or to dislike anyone. He had a slight smile like a fox but he was no bull - for as long as I knew him.

I'm truly sorry to hear of his passing.

RIP Roger

11/14/10 03:02 PM #3    

Bill Hudson

THANK YOU! Frank Cole for taking time to tell of us Roger. He was so unassuming, I would never have guessed he would GO ARMY! But he did in what you tell, a very big way! A war hero and beyond. I'd feel mighty proud to be layed to rest next to someone like Roger Norton...

And THANK YOU again Frank Cole for sharing your poem! It is the best...


08/08/15 09:59 PM #4    

Frank Cole

Sometimes I get to feeling melcancholy, longing often for what can only be decribed as "The Good Old Bad Days".  I find myself missing the boys we used to be; innocent and so very full of promise.   At those times, I miss the old neighborhood and those amongst us that lived there also.   If I could go back, I would.  Among the boys I knew, there was a love of country, of preserving our way of life and many who were willing to fight for it.   It sounds corny to so many today, words like honor, country, duty, patriotism  and service.   Roger felt those things, too.   He lived it.   I miss men like him and the boys we used to be.


08/09/15 11:46 AM #5    

Karen Shields (Griffin)

I'm just now reading this tribute to Roger Norton. Bless you Frank for writing it, and God bless you for your service to our country. I'm convinced there's a special place in Heaven for soldiers like Roger. I never knew him very well in high school, and I certainly never knew he battled so valiantly at Hamburger Hill!  I also didn't know he served with the 101st.  We were there at different times, he in '69 and me summer of '71. Our first USO show was performed for the 101st. I will be forever humbled and touched by the soldiers I met over there. Here and abroad, you continue to be our finest Frank. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. God rest the soul of this beautiful servant. 


08/09/15 08:14 PM #6    

Terry Finefrock

"Rgoer that", Frank, great, simple honest and forthright words, feelings...words like honor, country, duty, patriotism  and service.....lamentably, often forgotten or not emphasized by many of our current countrymen...


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