Vic Taylor, Passed

Updated 16 November 2023

The attached links provide some of the elements of the Service and Reception for Vic Taylor. I believe that they will give some of the flavor of how we memorialized Vic for that day and in our minds.

Some of the audio quality is not good, but volume helps and close captioning is available (which helped with my old ears).

I am sending the links to a broad group of people — many of whom could not attend — but feel free to forward to any that you believe would appreciate the videos. Duplicates are not a bad thing.

Semper Fi,
Greg Newbold

First video
Second video
Third video

Updated 25 September 2023

Adding photos and poem Frank Valdez read at the service

I Do Not Think My Song Will End

by Johnny Hathcock

I do not think my song will end
While flowers, grass and trees
Abound with birds and butterflies
For I am one with these.
And I believe my voice will sound
Upon the whispering wind
So long as even one remains
Among those I call “friend”
I shall remain in hearts and minds
Of loved ones that I knew.
And in the rocks and hills and streams
Because I love those too.
So long as love and hope and dreams
Abide in earth and sky,
Weep not for me, though I be gone,
I shall not really die.

Updated 29 June 23 1230

Adding details about interment, reception & hotel discount from LtGen Newbold…

For Friends of Vic Taylor:

At 10:00 on 11 September 2023 LtCol Vic Taylor USMC (Ret) will be interred at Quantico National Cemetery.  A reception will follow at the National Museum of the Marine Corps immediately following.  The information below elaborates on those two events.

Interment.   The interment will take place at the Columbarium in the Quantico Cemetery — entrance at 18424 Joplin Rd. Triangle, VA.  Signs will direct attendees to the Columbarium (on Thomas Jefferson Road).  As parking on the side of the road is routine for interments, you should plan to have to walk to the site.  Depending on the size of the crowd, it may take some time.  A hearse will arrive at the Columbarium where a tent will be erected for a brief ceremony.  A Marine honor detail will transport the urn carrying the cremains to the tent where the American flag will be folded and presented.  Expect brief remarks by a Navy chaplain, and the chaplain of the 2d Battalion, 4th Marines,”the Magnificent Bastards” Association (the unit in which Vic Taylor was awarded the Silver Star for actions in the Battle of Dai Do).  A rifle salute will follow as will the playing of “Taps.”

Reception/celebration of life.  The reception will take place at the Museum [1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle, VA 22172] immediately following the interment.  For those who will only attend the reception, the Museum will accommodate attendees starting at 10:45.  Parking, including handicap parking, is plentiful.  The reception will take place on the 2d level in the Medal of Honor lobby.  There will be some time for casual interaction and light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments first, and the Museum will provide both round and cocktail tables for seating of guests.   At 11:30, there will be a short period of remarks about Vic Taylor from several speakers who knew him well during various periods of his extraordinary life.  After the remarks, additional hot food items will be available and attendees are encouraged to mix.   The reception will conclude at 2:00.

Hotels.  For those traveling from out of the area of Quantico, there are many hotels in the area.  The Courtyard Marriott in Triangle (275 Corporate Drive, Stafford, Va 22554  (703) 221-6293) has offered a limited number of rooms at a substantially reduced rate —Book Your Group/Corporate Rate | Marriott International .

Many of the recipients of this email will not be able to attend, but it would be helpful if they pass this information to the many others who are interested.

Thanks, and Semper Fi,

Greg Newbold

LtGen USMC (Ret)

Updated 28 June 23 0830

Adding note about hotel discount from LtGen Newbold…

Gentlemen,

The offer below [standby, working on adding these details] is for those who plan to attend the interment event at the Quantico National Cemetery and reception at the National Museum of the Marine Corps for Vic Taylor on 11 September.  I’m extending it to the 2/4 community in the hopes that they can pass it along to others from the association who would like to attend.

The Marriott offer provides a greater than 50% discount from the normal rate at the Courtyard Marriott in Triangle, Virginia.  Please note the start and end dates and the last date to book.

There are only 30 rooms available using this group rate, but that represents a third of the hotel.  Once these group rates are full, others can still make a reservation but at the normal rate.  There are obviously many other hotel opportunities both north and south of Quantico.

I’ll be sending out additional details about the events on 11 September as soon as Headquarters, Marine Corps responds to my request for honors at the interment.

Semper Fi,

Greg Newbold

LtGen USMC (Ret)

Updated 6 June 23 0900

Adding the Obituary from Yampa Valley Funeral Home in Steamboat Springs, CO

Updated 31 May 23 0830

Various folks have inquired about donations in his honor… after discussions with Vic’s friend Lt Gen Newbold, it was decided that 2/4 Association was the 1 of 2 organizations that Vic was passionate/loyal to, with the other being govt funded. With that being said, it was his agreement that Vic would be “pleased and proud to have donations in his honor given to the 2/4 Association”.

So, any those wishing to donate, in Vic Taylor’s honor, may do so here.  I have added a place to add a note – please indicate Vic Taylor’s honor in the note.

Original message – 31 May 23 0830

Vic Taylor died May 26. We have lost a great Marine Corps leader, fearless in combat and friend to all of us.

Lt Gen Greg Newbold, USMC (Ret), Vic’s close friend,  is in charge of funeral arrangements

In September, a small private burial service will be held at the Quantico National Cemetery. Date and time to be determined.

Following the Quantico Burial a Celebration for the Life of Vic Taylor will be held at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.  All Vic’s comrades and friends are invited.   

More details will follow as information is received.

Semper Fideles,

Bill Weise