Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery

I served with Tasker from Dec 1989 to just after the Gulf War  we both were in together.   I met him on local suc detail with 5/11.  We were Hq Marines that somehow always ended up together.   I remember him captivating us Local Suc Marines w stories of his 64 chop top ElCamino w suicide doors.  He didn't have windows and couldn't drive it on base.  Id had a 67 ElCamino prior to enlisting and we hit it off right away w car talk.  I was a new Marine fresh fr school and boot camp...and it was a bit depressing at times not knowing anyone but Tasker was a friend to those who had no friend.  We surfed together at LaJolla Shores a bit on RnR.  We'd drive in my van and camp by the beaches.  He had this old board as did I....his didn't have a logo..one day he scraped the wax off his board...I think he took it up on the roof in the barracks and let it melt off in the 29 Palms heat.  He found a name on the stringer, Wilkins.  Im from Sandiego and been into surfing most my life.  Tasker really wanted to do all the California stuff like surfing n we both were learning to stand up the same time before the war.  In Desert Storm he really had my back on local security...we had all the shit details including burning the shit pots at sunset.  He always had a story and a laugh that lifted the darkest depression...and I was going through a really bad time.  I got sent off on loan and 5/11 had called for fire on their own position and took friendly fire killing 18 yr old Felix...our new armorer....he had taken my spot as driver.  I was on loan to truck co for awhile driving stolen busses and staging all the grunts...was non stop for me.  I got back to 5/11 later and flew home to March AF base then bus back to stumps.   I was dealing w BS charges that got dropped...Tasker was my friend through it all.  He even let me drive his ElCamino once and he never did that w anyone.  I remember the night like yesterday the cool desert night air...the sound of the V8 pulling through the gears.  I mis my buddy...I could never find him on FB or google...then yesterday I saw the obituary.  Killed by some 18 yr old kid drunk n high.  I just can't believe it...im a 12 yr Veteran (ret) of the Marine Corps, PMI, and DI...Ill say this, he was the very best of the best I'd ever served with.  Times were really rough but having him with me in fighting holes and going through my own personal hell...he made me laugh and kept me focused by being right there with me my 1st few years in the Corps.  There was no better friend to have.  Tasker, I love you Brother.   Thankyou for all you did for me and the Corps.  "Read it, learn it, love it" Semper Fidelis 

WINFRIED G TASKER JR

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