Vietnam Veteran Burial, Alan Horst

April 21, 2017 the world has lost another Vietnam Veteran, a Marine, to some a father, to one a husband. Many have lost a friend. Alan Horst was a fighter. He fought in the Vietnam war for 14 months. He was a field radio operator as well as a tunnel rat. He always said he was the guy the Vietnamese wanted to shoot first. "it was always hard to hide when you had a tall antenna on your back. You were a walking target." I remember him telling me stories of landing dozens of helicopters within seconds of one another. Setting up temporary landing pads. I saw photos of when they got bombed and the huge metal pads were warped over 6 foot high! He came home to a 'less than a heroes greeting' from the American people. Like many other Vietnam veterans. As a father of three, he lost his oldest son on April 15, 2008 due to a motorcycle accident. The burial plot that he bought for his wife and himself became a burial plot for his son. At this point he was already a couple years into kidney failure. Needing dialysis three times a week for the next 9 1/2 years. During this time other health issues arous. Some related to his kidney failure, some not. Heart valve replacement, prostate cancer, shoulder replacement, medicine problems which almost caused his death twice. He finally received a kidney in 2014. The future was looking so bright for him. This is just a handful of bumps in his journey that he fought through and prevailed. Unfortunately this visit to the hospital would be his last. He had an internal infection that took over his body. Cellulitis, pneumonia, and sepsis. With antibiotics the doctors tried to gain control of it. These antibiotics also caused his body to reject his kidney and once again had to be put onto dialysis. The first 24 hours he declined in health. After another 24 hours it was clear that his body could no longer fight. He tried so hard. Toughest man I have ever met! It was decided to take him off the respirator. He took his last breath on April 21, 2017 at 1pm.
His widow will be alone for the first time in 50 years. She is overwhelmed with hospital bills and a funeral. I can offer her moral support but unfortunately am unable to offer financial. If anyone would be so kind to pass this along or possibly help I would appreciate it. Bless all of you who have asked, been there, and supported Alan Horst through his tough battle.