It is said that all Cavalry Soldiers that pass on goes to Fiddler’s Green. An Unknown author in the 1800’s penned this poem:
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddler’s Green.
I bring this up because today we lost another one of our Brothers. Phillip Gaudette Sr passed away on January 13th, 2011 at 2045 hours. Phill was a Comrade in Arms as well as a friend. Phill and I never met face to face. When we made contact via the internet Phill was already down with Cancer. We maintained our friendship via the internet and through phone calls. I will miss talking to Phill. In one of our last conversations we were talking about death. I told him that his Brothers who had passed before him would be standing at attention and will “Present Arms (the hand salute)” as he enters. Then I told him that he better be there to do tha same as I enter. He said “Don’t worry Brother, I’ll be there”. Phill left behind his wife Patty, a son Phillip Jr. and two daughters Diane and Patty. Today I’ll weep but tomorrow I will be stronger as I remember Phill and the Great Strength he showed throughout his illness. Heaven is brighter and an other star will be present in the sky from now on.
I will add other Charlie Troopers to this post. The next one I want to talk about is Bruce DeHart. I really only met Bruce a little over two years ago. He and his wife came to all of the reunions. The last time Bruce came, I finally went over to him and introduced myself. Bruce passed away August 27, 2009. Bruce’s lovely wife, Elizabeth continues to come to the reunions. She is carrying on his tradition but she is also maintaining her Brotherhood/Sisterhood relationship with each of us. When an Old Soldier fades away their family remains in our family.
I love you dad you were not just my Dad you are my hero. I became a soldier, firefighter, and a good dad all because of you. I miss you already and it was an honor to walk you home. Phillip Gaudette Jr.
Are the Souls of all dead Troopers camped,
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler’s Green.
Marching past, straight through to Hell
The Infantry are seen. Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddler’s Green.
Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene.
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he’s emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddler’s Green.
And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
Charlie Troop 1st Squadron 9th Cavalry Regiment 
Phillip Gaudette Jr
January 16, 2011
I love you dad you were not just my Dad you are my hero. I became a soldier, firefighter, and a good dad all because of you. I miss you already and it was a honor to walk you home.