Do you believe in fate? Do you think or believe that things happen for a reason? To answer these questions you must first have an idea of what fate is. Most who believe in fate would define it to be the power that is supposed to settle ahead of time how things will happen. Could there be such a power that rules our lives, and if so, why? I began pondering these questions when I received a telephone call late one evening while in the comforts of my home. At first I didn't recognize the voice on the distant end but it wasn't long until I pieced together who this mystery caller was. It was Jon Meade, an old Marine buddy from my days in Vietnam where we served together with 9th Engineer Battalion some 42 years ago. After overcoming my surprise and joy of hearing from Jon after four decades, I wondered how he had tracked me down, especially by calling me on my cell phone, which is only provided to a choice number of friends and colleagues. Then he told me the following story about how he found me, and questions about fate drifted into my mind. Harry and Jon at the Rose Parade Pasadena, CA New Years Day, 1966  Jon explained that he had recently moved to Temecula, California from San Diego and in the months leading up to his move he had met a young Marine named Michael who lived in Jon’s old neighborhood. Every so often Mike and Jon would see each other and would talk for short periods of time about the Marine Corps and their respective careers and adventures. During one of their many chance conversations, Jon mentioned to Mike that he had served with 9th Engineer Battalion while in Vietnam. Hearing this, Mike told Jon he was taking an evening class at a local university and that during one of the class sessions he remembered his professor mentioning that he had served with 9th Engineers. So after a few more comments here and there, both men simply went on with their lives. Well as it turns out, that professor is me and I remember this young student Marine asking about my service in Vietnam and telling me that he knew of another old Marine who lives in his neighborhood who claimed that he too served with 9th Engineers. This is when I gave Mike one of my business cards with my cell phone number written on the back, but little did I know it would end up in the hands of my old friend Jonny Meade. That is how our paths in life crossed once again. Now for the first time in 42 years we came together. It happened on Saturday, November 1, 2008 when I rode my Harley to Temecula. Even after 42 years of hard living we immediately recognized one another and before we could stop embracing and shaking hands we were laughing and joking like we used to when we were both 19-year-old hard-charging Marines. For the next hour we stood face-to-face and talked about our lives and our past, about shared experiences and friends, and we made a solemn commitment to each other to stay in touch for the remainder of our days. As the hours passed we continued sharing our stories and memories over lunch. Long forgotten names, acquaintances, and friends were remembered. Experiences, good, bad, and humorous were talked about as we retold our memories about the events we engaged in way back in 1966, 67, and 68. We also talked about other things that only veterans feel comfortable with when talking to each other – about returning home when others did not and how the aftermath of the war had affected our lives over the past 42 years. At the end of the day we both admitted to feeling different – that somehow our reunion had generated a comforting peace within us – a friendship renewed – that was forged in fire and shaped by history – two old Marines feeling young again – and trying to make sense of it all. Yes, it was a good day. But now the sun was slipping beneath the horizon, so we said our farewells, and as I kicked my iron horse into gear and felt the wind against my face, I suddenly realized that all of my questions about fate had been answered – it is now clear me that Angels, disguised as Marines, deliver fate to our doorstep, and anywhere else it is needed. Harry and Jon reunion at Temecula, CA November 1, 2008  VII-4-12-09.html