Evans “Buddy” King
This is a letter I wrote to my cousin Joe’s grandson when his mother gave him Joe’s dog tags after his death.
While Joe didn’t die in action, he did die from the effects of Agent Orange from his stay in Vietnam, and I like to remember him as Memorial Day approaches.
Jack, I was very honored when your mother asked me to write a tribute to your grandfather in connection with your receipt of his dog tags. I know Joe would be very pleased both that you are receiving this significant symbol of his military service and that you will be so proud to do so.
As I am sure you know, dog tags represent the commitment and bravery of those serving in the armed forces. They reflect the risk of serving your country, as the essential purpose of the dog tag is to identify those who make the ultimate sacrifice.
The trendy words today are “putting yourself in harm’s way” and “ultimate sacrifice,” but let’s not lose track of the stark reality of exactly what this means.
When one serves in the military, he or she risks death on a daily basis to protect others. The dog tags are a constant reminder of this risk.
Your grandfather embodied the often forgotten values of love of God, country, and family.
His goal during his high school years had been to attend West Point and to become an officer in the United States Army. In an ironic twist of fate, he failed the physical exam for West Point, despite the fact that he was one of the best athletes in the country at the time.
I do not remember now the specifics of whether it was high blood pressure or his many broken noses from football or his broken ankle, but something kept him out of the academy.
Your grandfather nonetheless ended up becoming a commissioned officer in the United States Army by being in ROTC at the University of Virginia, ultimately serving in Vietnam!
He often joked that the army didn’t consider him fit enough for West Point but had no trouble sending him to Vietnam. He played major college football and ran track on the national stage so his infirmities obviously were minor.
As I am sure you know, your mother was born while Joe was in Southeast Asia and he did not see her for almost a year after her birth.
Your grandmother was “saddled” with your Uncle Bryan, a young and precocious toddler at the time, and your newborn mother, while dealing with the stress of a husband in combat halfway around the world. She came through in the true “military wife” style of the times.
Your grandfather served bravely and faithfully, and through the grace of God, returned to the States and was honorably discharged as a Captain and went on to live the full and rewarding life that he had—successful lawyer, caring but tough domestic judge and, above all, a committed citizen and steward of his community.
As I am sure you observed many times, Jack, your grandfather’s military service was never far from the surface of his life, whether it was American Legion meetings or Honor Flight or saluting the flag whenever it passed, part of Joe was always Captain Board.
Your grandfather was the big brother I didn’t have. I looked up to him in more ways than he knew. He was one of the main reasons I attended the University of Virginia, and one of the main reasons I became a lawyer.
I was 13 years younger, but when I came along and played football and ran track at CHS, I was extremely proud to be known as “Joe Board’s cousin,” although I lacked his skills.
I cherished the times he came home, and I would get to spend time with him (and later with your grandmother) at my house or at his “on the top of Mockingbird Hill” just a couple of hundred yards away.
One of the fondest memories of my childhood was the weekend he graduated from UVA law school and your uncle Bryan was baptized on campus on the same day. Those memories are priceless.
I mentioned before the love of God, country and family that permeated the lives of the best of the best during and after World War II. Joe was a true child of the 50s, a Horatio Alger story (embodiment of the belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles).
These three pillars are often forgotten in our current times, sometimes even disrespected or ridiculed. But they were and hopefully remain priorities for a successful life for many.
There is sometimes debate of the ranking of God, country and family in our lives, a “weighing” if you will of which is the most important.
I think your grandfather did not see this trilogy as a matter of hierarchy. He felt that by serving his God and his country, he served his family well and showed them his love.
So Jack, from time to time look at your Grandfather Joe’s dog tags and remember who he was and the love he had for God, country and family.”
(Joe Board died in December 2016, after a long and successful career as a family law judge in South Carolina. He remains the best athlete ever from Christiansburg High School.)
Evans “Buddy” King grew up in Christiansburg and graduated from CHS in 1971. He lives in Clarksburg, West Virginia, where he practices law with the firm of Steptoe and Johnson PLLC. He can be reached at Evans.King@steptoe-johnson.com
