Dear JD,

I have been sitting here running our conversations and experiences through my mind over and over. It's funny how it goes that it's only after we lose something that we really stop to consider just how much it meant to us. You've always known how much you meant to me, but this time of reflection motivated me to sit down and write you one more time.

We first met online in 2012 when I found WINS on my deployment in Afghanistan, looking for a bit of distraction from the daily grind. Despite our difference in age, and my penchant for being a bit overeager, we quickly realized we had a lot of common ground with the military, our interest in minerals/fossils, coins, writing, politics, and many other things.

Brandon, JD and Sherol

Being both very straightforward and talkative people, we bonded very quickly. You and I are the kind of people that you love or hate. Luckily, we landed on the right side of one another. We discussed my job and experiences for a while and it wasn't long before you let me read and edit your memoirs from your time in the Navy. They were fascinating, taking me all the way back to 1967, when you almost got drafted before you graduated high school, and up to your time on the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS Constellation. You were a great writer and I enjoyed pouring over everything you shared. I spent most of my time laughing as I read the different scenarios you found yourself in, and often put yourself in. Every time you found yourself in a tough position, you pulled yourself out of it. You lived an incredible and action-packed life and I know your service in the Navy shaped much of the way you view the world. In reading your memoirs, I see why we were such kindred spirits as you were every bit as much as motived and hot headed as I was, if not more.

You were always thoughtful to me and my family. After we found out that we both had a love for chop marked coins. You took the time to hunt down and send me a link to a great 8 reales "pieces of 8" chop marked coin that I regrettably did not buy. Even so, we exchanged quite a few emails on chop marks. Out of the blue, in my mailbox, I received a signed copy of Collin Gullberg"s Chopmarked Coins. This helped me with identifying the marks on the Trade Dollar I own with chop marks. Realizing my interest in fossils and minerals, you gave me "The Sampler" as a Christmas gift. It was a Whitman's chocolate sampler box, but instead of chocolate, it was filled with different minerals and fossils labeled with names and where they come from. I absolutely loved the gift, but you knew I would. It resides on permanent display in my living room. On my last visit to your home, you had me help you sand down and smooth out a massive piece of petrified wood. I definitely tested your patience because I had no idea what I was doing and it took quite a few goes for me to get it right. When we finished the work, you let me know that it was actually for me. My girls play on that stone almost daily and will someday learn that the rock they play on actually came from a huge tree. You were always a generous man and your gifts show the amount of attention to detail and care you had for others.

One of the greatest things you've shown me was your patience. Not only did you suffer (mostly) quietly through my political rants full of unfounded beliefs, but you continued to discuss things with me, providing me an alternative perspective. Looking back, I realize that I had a lot of things wrong and am grateful you overlooked my stubbornness and ignorance.

You were always patient with how long it took me to call or write you. You were understanding of the strains the job and family can put on personal things. You never once grumbled about how long it had been from the last one. I regret not spending more time talking to you.

I reminisce on when we finally got to meet for the first time in January 2013. I came and visited you while on leave from that deployment. I happened to visit during your birthday and we celebrated with steaks and cupcakes. Sharol made some really great food and I felt right at home during my visit. It was that visit where I realized you had a bigger affinity for fossils and minerals than even I did. Luckily, I had brought some stones I purchased in Afghanistan and I was able to give one to you. You walked me around your home, showing me everything on display, there were so many fascinating things you personally found and some things you'd acquired, like your magnetic meteorite. Looking on your shelves felt like looking at a museum and I sat in wonder at the fact that you have forgotten more about minerals than I had ever learned. I wasn't able to stay too long that visit, but even so, we managed to hang a light fixture, stack some firewood, swap some world coins, and you even showed me some of your collection. You were the first person I'd traded coins with in over 10 years and also convinced me to buy a World Coin Catalog to get my collection in order. It was a great time and I made sure to visit as often as life would allow.

As I write this, I noticed you were always guiding me and pushing me to make better decisions. You're actually the one who convinced me to stop texting and driving. At the time of my visit, I considered it rather harmless. You asked me point blank and I answered honestly that I did. You proceeded to give me a proper scolding and reminded me that cellphones were the rudest invention ever created. I took your advice to heart and that has certainly helped keep me safe on all the road trips I've since taken.

Though I only made it to your home a few times, I enjoyed every visit and always looked forward to the next one. We always had some sort of project to work on and never ran out of things to talk about between coins, fossils/minerals and politics. We also always had full bellies, thanks to Sharol's wonderful cooking. I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to introduce you to my wife and Sharol even got to hold our newborn daughter Adeline. Your home always felt like a second home to me and there was always an open invitation for me to come visit. Unfortunately, plans for you to come visit me in DC fell through and we promised to see each other when I returned from Germany. It pains me to not have been able to see you again and to miss your funeral. When I get back to the states, I promise to stop in and say hello. I miss you JD and only wish that I had sent you this letter sooner, to let you know how much you mean to me and my family.

With love,
Brandon