Bunker
Bunker Mulligan, Mike Reed, passed away on Friday, June 3, 2005. On learning of his passing, I was shocked and saddened to a far greater degree than I would have expected. I never met Bunker. He and I exchanged emails on occasion, commented regularly on each other’s writings, and agreed in principle on nearly all political issues. That doesn’t explain why it would hurt so much to hear of his death.
Bunker was good and kind man. A prince among us. I’m no avid golfer, yet I immensely enjoyed reading his golf updates. When he posted, I felt I knew him. I knew his passion for his family, his love of our nation, and his desire to see the possible rather than the impossible. His comments and emails were always a highlight for me. He offered praise sparingly, not being a flatterer. Instead, his comments told me that I’d hit the mark, written well, or stated the obvious in terms he agreed with. When he took issue with me, he did so directly and asked me to understand. And most often, he offered a helping hand.
Men like Bunker are too few. I’ll miss him greatly, as I already do. I find myself wanting to revisit every email or comment he shared with me, to reread the entries of his blog and more so, to tell him that he was admired, appreciated and that he had an impact. I don’t know his family, his sons in the service of our nation, or his daughter, but I’m certain their loss is greater than mine. A painful realization, and one I wish they’d not experienced.
Rest in peace Bunker. I’ll see you on the shores someday.
