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Page 1 of 2 John “Cliff” Oldfield Commander DMORT 2
(June 12, 1946 - December 24, 2005)
I was a mere newcomer. Fresh on the team. Unfamiliar, per se, with the DMORT routine. Katrina blew in, and everything changed. We all would be needed. It all seemed so strange. We were told to “Stand By” so I packed up my gear. I waited by the phone, the order to hear. Confusion, frustration: When would they call? If only someone could answer it all. Then I found the web page. The page for team 2. And a comforting man told me just what to do. Each day he wrote something. Sometimes small, sometimes lots. But never, not ever…he never forgot. Each day this fine gentleman, regardless of heat, or workload, exhaustion…. He must have been beat…. But each day he wrote, he kept us all posted. A labor of love, this journal he hosted. When the call finally came, I bid family goodbye. And as tears welled up in my family’s eyes, I said: “Not to worry, you’ll be with me each day, just go to team 2’s site, See what Cliff has to say. He’ll make you feel better, he’ll keep you informed. And he did, and like me, their hearts were so warmed. I arrived in St. Gabriel, his biggest fan. The first thing I asked: “Can I meet this great man?” My memories of that day never will end For on that day in October, I made a great friend. I worked for a week under Commander Oldfield I knew all along, that he was the “Real Deal” We talked and we joked, I thanked him so much For thinking of everyone…….keeping in touch. When cliff shipped back home, I wrote him some lines We said we’d exchange some e mail sometime. That time never came, but I know as I write He realized he’d touched so many lives. Not often in life do we meet a great soul Who gives of himself, no matter the toll. Somewhere up above, there’s no crisis tonight Cliff’s got it all handled, it’ll all be alright. Next time I deploy, I’ll miss seeing this man But, perhaps, the one thing he’s made me understand Is that this is a team, regardless of rank, regardless of status, or what’s in the bank And if you stand proud, and if you stand tall In the end, that’s what matters. Farewell Cliff……That’s all. Dedicated to the memory of a friend of all too short a time. What an impression you made on my entire family. Troy Bastion, DMORT 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Donations in memory of John "Cliff" Oldfield may be made to: NYSFDA Tribute Foundation for Victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita c/o New York State Funeral Directors Assn. 426 New Karner Rd Albany, New York 12205
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