 By Kelli Carlin-Auger November 13, 2005
I too, was feeling a bit sad and meloncoly Friday thinking about "the old boys marching down Bawden" and the ceremony in front of the library. I was unable to attend as I had to work this Veterans Day. I was thinking about 2 Veterans in particular. The first one is Romen Alin, I had just learned of his passing Friday morning in the Daily News. He was a man who came to my father's memorial in full military uniform and sat with me, telling me through tears, what a great guy my father was. I can still picture Mr. Alin marching in his uniform on Veterans Day (he always had the shinest shoes). I will never forget the kindness he showed to me and the respect he had for my father. The second Veteran I was thinking of and missing this Veterans Day, is my father, Tom Carlin. You are right June, my dad had a heck of a memory. He used to laugh when he'd say, "my short term memory might be slipping a bit but there's nothing wrong with my long term memory" and boy was he right. I was fortunate enough to catch my dad on a couple of good days before he died and was able to videotape him while he sat and gave me a verbal biogrophy of his life from start to finish. Most of the 4 or so hours while I was videoing him, he spent talking about his service to our country during WWII. There were times he'd get quite emotional while remembering certain events but when it was all finished, he told me that "those were the best days of my life". Wow....what an amazing man and to think that he was all of 16 years old when he hit the beaches of Guadalcanal. I still can't believe I'm reading the word "late" preceding my father's name. I still think of him everyday and miss him deeply. I'm forever greatful for the servcice he gave to his country and for the respect and patriotism he instilled in me and my children. He taught us by example. He would very often cry when he heard the American anthem and wasn't ashamed of doing so and I, like him, often cry because I am so very greatful and proud to be an American. So thank you again June for telling a story this Veterans Day about my hero, my father, Tom Carlin. I salute you! With tons of appreciation from my entire family for sharing your gift and your kindness, Kelli Carlin-Auger
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