I was hoping you could post the following on you website about Gunny Popaditch for me.

My name is Shane Shroyer and I was a Sergeant in 1st Tank Battalion from 1996 through 1998, I went to Tank School with Gunny Popaditch when we were both Lance Corporals coming back in on the PSEP plan and I have to say that Gunnery Sergeant Nicholas Popaditch is perhaps one of the top 3 Marines I've met in my life. I can not describe him in words, he is that great of a Marine! We lost contact after I EAS'd and a friend told me that he was injured in battle I couldn't believe it, he was to a lot of the Marines in the battalion the old salt you would see in the war movies that never got a scratch while standing up and walking through the mortar barrage. When I confirmed that it was indeed him that was wounded I knew immediately that he would pull through this, he's just that kind of man and his wife, April is that kind of woman that she'll do what ever it takes to help him get back to a normal fully functional life as a Marine.

I'm proud to have served with him even if it was in peace time. Gunny, April and the boys, you are in my thoughts often and I hope everything works out for the best for you.

Shane C. Shroyer
Flint, Mi.