- Date Of Birth: 1947
- Date Of Death: 2019
- State: New York
Larry Charles Cammon, age 72, peacefully transitioned on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at The Montrose Veteran’s Nursing Home after a long battle with Huntington’s disease.
Larry served in the United States Army Infantry and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He fought as a sniper whose job it was to protect the lives of his fellow soldiers. Larry earned numerous awards and medals, including two Purple Hearts; Expert (Rifle M-14) award; Vietnam Service award; Vietnam Campaign award; Combat Infantry Badge; Conspicuous Service award and medal; a National Defense Service medal and an Army Good Conduct medal as well as various certificates of honor. While residing at The Montrose Veteran’s Nursing Home, he also received the Vietnam War Veteran’s Medal commemorating his 50-year anniversary of service.
Larry was born in Birmingham, Alabama on May 14, 1947, the only son of Laron and Susie Cammon. At age six, his family moved to the Bronx in New York City, where he attended, PS 70 Elementary School; Joseph H. Wade Middle School; and William H. Taft High School. In the 11th grade, he was drafted to the Army.
Larry was a gentle and fragile soul whose life, like many Vietnam veterans, was deeply and profoundly impacted by the atrocities of an extremely unpopular war. Returning home to family and mainstreaming back into his community proved to be his most difficult challenge—one that resulted in his being away from us for many years.
Through the grace of God, Larry wound up in The Montrose Veteran’s Nursing Home suffering with multiple war injuries and the devastating diagnosis of Huntington’s disease. It was through the nursing home that he was able to reconnect with his family. That was seven years ago!
Since then, we have spent wonderful and precious times visiting Larry at the nursing home exploring things that would bring him joy and fun for all of us. We celebrated seven birthdays, seven Christmases and when he was in good health, we made numerous trips to the Casino. Larry always looked forward to getting his beer at these outings and of course, his cigarettes. LARRY’S PASTTIMES WERE BEING OUTDOORS, FEEDING THE BIRDS AND SMOKING. Pulling up to the nursing home for a visit and spotting him sitting outside in his wheelchair smoking, was always a positive sign for us that he was feeling good that day. His nursing home was located on the Hudson River and it was Larry’s quiet place to sit by the water during our visits. It was here that he was most peaceful.
Many people were important in Larry’s life. These included the “Cammon” girls (Barbara, Lori and Brenda), Khaled Amer, a wonderful person who would drive us wherever we wanted to go and was very respectful and loving toward Larry. Khaled is now considered family. On special occasions, he was visited by his brother-in-law, Robert Stevenson, (who gracefully supported his wife, Barbara, during this time); a family friend, Andrew Miles; his granddaughter, Lauryn; and his former wife, Ann, with whom he remained close. We know that Larry was grateful for the quality medical care and kindness of the staff and residents of Montrose. He benefitted greatly from their support and friendship.
We will miss Larry’s good spirit, his sometimes cantankerous side and his strength and courage with which he endured an extraordinarily difficult disease. He served his country valiantly.
WE WERE ALL MADE BETTER FOR THE LOVE WE SHARED.
“People will forget what you’ve said
people will forget what you did,
but they will never forget the
way you made them FEEL.”
Maya Angelou
