Monday, September 11, 2006

Major Dwayne Williams ~ I Remember

Major Dwayne Williams
March 19, 1961 - Septemer 11, 2001
US Army

Major Dwayne Williams was working in the Pentagon the day terrorists flew United Flight 77 into the side of the building. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Tammy, a son Tyler, 17, a daughter Kelsie,13. He is also survived by his parents, Pearl Williams and Horace Williams, and three brothers, Air Force Staff Sgt. Troy Williams in Germany, Army SFC Kim Williams in Arizona and Roy L Williams, a writer for the Birmingham News.

Major Williams was a paratrooper, a Ranger, served in the Persian Gulf War. He was in the Army for 18 years and had graduated from the University of North Alabama before enlisting in the Army in 1984. His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal. After his death, he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal of Merit.

But, there is more to the story of the life of Major Dwayne Williams. He was a man of deep faith and love for God. He loved his fellow human beings and reached out to help them and encourage them at all times. He loved his wife, his children, his parents, his brothers. He had a laugh that, once heard, would never be forgotten, and a smile that lit the path for all who saw it. He loved his antique green mustang. He spent time keeping in touch with his friends with email and IM. He reached out to all, bringing love, help, encouragement, humor and laughter to all around him. He filled his space in life with great things.

I have been honored to do this Fifth Anniversary Tribute to Major Dwayne Williams. Learning about him has been a blessing in my life, and I have learned so much about the goodness that you left behind in the multitude of lives you touched so deeply. I am a better person for knowing about you. My faith is deeper from learning about you and your family. I am only sorry that I will never know you in this life - I would have liked you very much. But, it is an honor to know you now. I will never forget you and I will always keep your family in my prayers. I have no doubt that you now walk with God.

Major Dwayne Williams - The Memorials

http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2006/09/major-dwayne-williams-memorials.html

Major Dwayne Williams - A Family Remembers

http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2006/09/major-dwayne-williams-family-remembers.html

Major Dwayne Williams - His Friends Remember

http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2006/09/major-dwayne-williams-friends-remember.html

Major Dwayne Williams - A Final Farewell

http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2006/10/final-farewell-and-god-speed.html

24 comments:

The WordSmith from Nantucket said...

It is amazing how much so many have accomplished during the time that they did have on this earth. Major Dwayne Williams...what a loss to his family and to this nation! He sounds like the complete patriot. Family man and warrior.

Thanks for bringing focus and attention to another fine American patriot. Each person is more than just a number...more than just a name on a memorial. God bless his family and all who knew and loved him.

Anonymous said...

Just seeing his smile broke me up. Thanks for bringing it to the world again.

jane
http://armiesofliberation.com

Anonymous said...

What a stunning tribute to a successful Soldier. You did him justice. Why couldn't we know these people when they were alive? One day.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you came by and commented on my blog because that brought me over here.

What a wonderful tribute. You have done well by Major Williams.

These tributes are such a reminder of what we lost that day. Major Williams was lost to us. Like Wordsmith said Thanks for bringing focus and attention of another great American patriot!

Beautifully written.

Mike's America said...

Thank you for sharing the story of Major Williams and helping us all to remember him today.

When I think of his wife, Tammy, son Tyler and daughter Kelsie and the sacrifice and pain they have made these past five years, I redouble my resolve and committment to see to it that we win this war and make sure the evil which perpetrated these acts is defeated.

Katherine said...

That was a really beautiful tribute! Thanks for stopping by my tribute to Marjorie C. Salamone.

j.sterling said...

wow- you have so many dedications to him... you are awesome. great job- he sounds like he was a really nice person.

Unknown said...

I knew Maj. Williams, and yes he was a wonderful person, a great leader and a dedicated husband and father. I miss him alot. He was a great friend to me.
Maj. Jefferson

Peter said...

A wonderful tribute, what a terrible thing to have to do though.

Merle said...

Hi Flag Gazer ~~ Nice to meet you. This is a beautiful tribute to Major
Dwayne Williams. And what a wonderful smile he had. Thank you for leaving
me a comment and some hints. I left a tribute to Guy Barzvi on my old blog
Herons Nest and also the new blog
http://merle-3rdtimelucky.blogspot.com/
Take care Flag Gazer, Cheers, Merle.

Lonnie said...

Nicely done...Thank you...

Greetings from an expat' soldier in China...

www.onemanbandwidth.com/wordpress

MrsGreenThumb said...

Your tribute is wonderful. You have written an especially moving tribute to a true American. The picture you posted of Major Williams shows his love for life in his smile. I send my condolences to his family and friends. The entire country owes him a debt of gratitude for his exemplary service.

Please visit my site to read about Catherine A. Nardella who died at the WTC on 9/11

I will never forget those who perished that horrible day.

Anonymous said...

Wow, you've compiled so much wonderful inforation about this mans life. This solider stands honored, I know.

May his family be at peace today while the anniversary of 9/11 passes.

I'm honoring FDNY's Peter Beilfeld.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tribute to a great man. You have written a very touching memorial and I feel that I have come to know Dwayne though your words.

Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving kind words regarding my tribute to Durrell Pearsall.

Anonymous said...

For some reason I could not use my blogger identity to leave comments on your blog, and I see it is beta. blogger. I have had problems with that. I don't know if other people are also having the same problems. But I thought I would let you know.

www.manxmnews.blogspot.com

Kell said...

What a tremendous American Hero Major Williams was. You did him proud.

Anonymous said...

Nicely done. He was one our country's dedicated soldiers. How sadly fitting that he had to die in an act of war.

God bless Major Williams and his family.

craziequeen said...

What a fine man, and what a fine tribute.

You've done him proud, Gazer :-)

cq

Sue said...

What a profound and phenomenal tribute...I am glad to have known Major Williams story through your words.

Thank you for taking the time to give him a voice today.

Cathy said...

Your entire blog is heart-wrenching and heart-warming. The loss of all these beautiful people is almost too painful to consider, but your celebration of their lives, their patriotism and the brave families that move forward after the losses - well, it's very touching and I thank you flag gazer.

Anonymous said...

I read your tribute yesterday but didn't get to comment (computer problems). You did this man very proud. I was amazed at how much information you were able to amass. I hope his family saw it. Thanks for stopping by my tribute as well.

Anonymous said...

My first thought, when I saw that big grin of his in the first photo, was simply: Wow, what a great smile and a proud face! This was a wonderful tribute to Major Williams, and I have no doubt his family would be proud to read it.

I honored Amy R. King and Michael C. Tarrou. Thank you for stopping by to honor them as well!

Melissa Markham said...

Another beautiful post! I am adding your blog to my RSS feeds. It is so refreshing to read posts like you have written in support of God, country and military. May God bless you for it!

Anonymous said...

Dwayne was the best of what a man could be! Thank you for being the type of example for me in college that everyone should have.