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REMEMBERING DONNIE

    Donald Turso was born on April 5, 1948 in
Port Chester, New York. He died on May 19,
1969 in South Vietnam while serving his country
in the United States Marine Corps. He graduated
from Harrison High School in Westchester
County, New York, in 1966. He also attended
Hyram Scott University in Nebraska and South
Hampton College on Long Island, New York. He
enlisted in the Marine Corps. on September 27,
1967. His tour in Vietnam started on November
22, 1968 and ended with his death. Donnie's
military occupation specialty (MOS) was
telephone technician. Donnie was a very
intelligent guy, and I'm sure that the Marine Corps. recognized this,
therefore sending him to tech school in San Diego. Donnie was on the
Harrison High School football team, and it was here in high school that
he received his nickname, "Maynard." He had a strong resemblance
(or so we all thought) to the actor Bob Denver. Denver played Maynard G.
Krebbs on the TV show Dobie Gillis. Even Donnie's high school yearbook
photo has the nickname Maynard below the photo.
    I was not Donnie's closest friend, by far.
We were high school classmates. I've always
remembered Donnie in the 37 years since his
death. I think of a life cut short and all
the things that might have been. My memory
of Donnie shall remain with me forever.
I recently discovered his gravesite and that was a pretty emotional yet
rewarding experience. His Marine Corps. friend, James Napier, and I
have put together this website to honor him. James was with Donnie in
Vietnam and he also has remembered him through these many years.
Our hope is that others, not only strangers but maybe family members
and old friends, will see our memorial to Donnie so they can also think
of him and keep his memory alive.

Anthony Amendola
 
It was late October of 2005 when James Napier first contacted Anthony Amendola. Both had posted
remembrances of Donald Turso on several Vietnam memorial websites. Anthony was a classmate of
Donnie's in Harrison, NY in the 60's. They graduated together from high school in 1966.
Jim served with Donnie in Vietnam. Jim's first email to Anthony began, "I knew your buddy in Vietnam."
Jim had an idea to create a tribute to Donnie on a USMC website. It turned out well, but greater access
for families and friends was needed, and the idea for this website was born.     see ...
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REMEMBRANCES OF DONNIE

Title:  CHRISTMAS PAST Posted: 2006-12-11

 
As the Christmas Holiday quickly approaches I think back to some wonderful times. I always remember how everyone would converge at my grandmothers house for the greatest dinners. After everyone had a full stomach and dishes were done we all gathered around a big table, adults and children, to play PokerKeno. We didn't care if we won, just the fact we were all having fun was enough. I remember my sister Debbie, Uncle Donnie & I would take our money and Christmas shop in downtown Harrison at Polks 5 & 10... ( the local family owned department store ) . We always laughed at my sister as she always bought something for herself and what ever money was left she would use for gifts. We teased her about that for years. I remember the first Christmas visit my family made back to Harrison after we moved to Florida, Donnie bought my mother a huge emerald colored pin and me a ruby red one. I still have mine- it must be an antique by now. I remember one Christmas when Donnie was around 7 years old...We were sent to bed so Santa could come. After about half an hour we sneaked back downstairs. We heard voices coming from the basement, and being as sneaky as we were, made our way to the top of the stairs. We peeked into the basement and saw a beautiful Lionel Train Set being put together for Donnie on a really big table. He had the hugest smile on his face I will never forget. It was all we could do to get back to bed unnoticed. Needless to say there was some confusion as to who got him the train- Santa or his mother and father. Those were the days... It is funny how certain things stay with you as you get older....MERRY CHRISTMAS DONNIE..... Love your niece , Patti




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