In memory of Derek D. Harrison - 1-25-08
There's a big pair of shoes to fill in Indiana tonight. The men of Co. K, 44th Tennessee Infantry and Co. C, 24th Tennessee Infantry (The Popskull Mess) deeply mourn the loss of a good man, a dedicated and enthusiastic living historian, and a true friend, Derek D. Harrison. Derek passed at around 5:30 AM, 01/25/08, apparently the victim of a massive heart attack. He was 47 years old. He is survived immediately by his wife Jyl, his sons Nathan and Eric, daughter Andrea Michelle, and grandchildren.
He was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps and, as I said, a man who loved to reenact. Civil War, WWII...apparently he was even putting together a SpanAm impression. There are a great many other things I could write about him, but for the purposes of the In Memoriam page of the TVB I speak mainly of his Civil War activities.
At the time of his death he was 2nd Sergeant of Co. K, a unit of which he was a founding member, and a treasured friend of the Popskullers. Most of us had served with him in other units, and knew him to be a man who, despite his imposing physical presence, was a heart-of-gold kind of guy and a true brother to his pards. He was a big, strong bear of a man whose 'inner jarhead' would show whenever he was irritated or operating in his NCO persona, but it was just Derek reenacting and making a very convincing sergeant, indeed. All of us knew, while he growled away at us around a cheek full of Red Man, that this was the same man who never, ever failed to tell us that we were, one and all, welcome under his roof any time night or day, who loved a good joke and would laugh until he doubled over, and who viewed us all as brothers, 'young'uns', and friends. We buried him today, in a style which I think would have made him proud. It is so very hard to see him go.
Friends of the TVB--please do keep this family in your prayers. Sorrow seems fond of their doorstep. They lost a son in Iraq not so very long ago, and now Derek has made his journey far too soon. Please keep Nathan in your prayers as he grieves for a father, as well as Eric as he grieves and prepares to return to Ft. Sam Houston in a few weeks to complete his Combat Medic training. Remember Jyl as she mourns the loss of her husband, and Andrea who grieves for her dad. I and all the Popskullers, as well as the members of Co. K, would consider it a great personal favor.
I thank you all.
Sorrowfully,
Micah Hawkins
Popskull Mess
