Larry Sutherland
A soldier, father, artist, and friend.

George Wymer

I first met Larry at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. I remember thinking that this guy will never make it and should be surfing instead of training for Viet Nam. Somehow Larry made it like the rest of us. I guess "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" says it best.

We ended up in same fight, "B" Flight. Learned to play hard and train hard together. This proved to be our success in Nam. Larry was always the agitator, instigator, morale booster in our flight. He could always be counted on to lift you spirits. Larry truly was one on a kind and will live forever in our memories. Larry is the sole reason we are together again. I am forever in Larry’s debt for bringing us all back together and for starting up our reunions. I believe that the last reunion we spent with Larry in Washington, D.C. was not an accident but was a farewell to arms to our brother, guided by God. I will never be able to forget that Larry left us on my watch. Larry we dedicated this web site to you. Farewell my Brother

Sgt. Jimmy Mac "Nemar"

The first time I ever really got to know Suth was in Nam. I kind of feel like I adopted him- you know- took him under my wings. Suth was a hippie type Dude thrown into a world of violence, killing and all the bad that goes with a war- especially Viet Nam. There will never be another war like that in my opinion. We never knew who were V.C. or if they were on our side. Like the mommasons that did our laundry. Do you remember Kim? Blue, Suth and I always said she was Cong. Suth was a little younger and I outranked him so I think he kind of looked up to me for moral as well as physical support when things got rough. For some strange reason I kind of got a reputation as being one of the Bad Boys!! Sgt. Jimmy Mac and Blue- inseparable and always breaking all the rules - we were truly Brothers at war and nothing came between us. I think Suth thought we were kinda cool and looked up to us. He had this thing about thinking he was never going to make it back again. So many times we protected him from harm whether it was an enemy attack, a bar fight or defending him against one of his superiors that always gave him a rough time. I made it my personal goal to watch out for my little buddy and in Ranger style, I wasn't about to leave anyone (especially Suth) behind. I think through all the good and bad times, the war, CSPS training, the bar brawls and everything we went through, I really learned to love that guy. I lost track of Suth after we returned stateside. I was due to get out and he and the rest of you guys went on to Seymour. Then 30 some years later I put an ad in the Searching for military buddies on a site on the internet, and lo and behind, about 2 weeks later, I got an email back!! He said "Could this possibly be the same Sgt. Jimmy Mac "Nemar" from the 822nd" and that was it. We started writing, calling back and forth and decided we'd team up and see how many of our guys we could find. Then out of the clear blue sky, who comes walking into my workplace but Clifton "Larry" Sutherland in person. My God- a long lost Brother had been found. Suth and Blue made a few trips to our home here after that initial get together and Blue still visits to this day. G and I even told Suth he had his own room with fireplace and all anytime he wanted to come here. Then we made a few reunions together, traded all kinds of memorabilia and once again became the close Brothers like we were back in the good old days. Then suddenly my little buddy was taken from us. I somehow still feel I let him down somehow. I got him thru training, got him thru the War but couldn't save him when he was in the best place in the world for him- namely his last reunion in D.C. I'll never get over him and never want to. It's just not the same without him. There's so much to say that I could write a book about my friend, but I'm sure you guys all feel the same way. So keep up the Ranger tradition and "DRIVE ON" as my man would always say.

Robbie Roberts

I was one of the fortunate ones to be able to spend eighteen months with Larry. I roomed with him in NC for twelve months prior to our outfit being disbanded. Over the years, I learned to appreciate his many talents, a creative artist, his childlike enthusiasm, and his love for the 822nd and our time together. From an eighteen year old hippie, he matured into a person that we all admire and respect. He is and will always be a national treasure. Larry had many accomplishments during his 52 years on earth and I'm sure the new 822nd would have loved him as well. We were blessed to have known Larry and what he renewed in each of us.

Jerry Spadafore

Larry Sutherland, now there was a one of a kind. I first noticed him during our training at Schofield, a long haired blond kid, wild as the wind, resisting all aspects of authority and military life in general. Although I didn't have much contact with Larry until we graduated and all went into our specialty assignments. It was at Pleiku that I really formed a close friendship with Larry. As a sector Sgt. on the perimeter and Larry being a member of the "Quickie One" team we spent a lot of time together on duty. I always remembered Larry had the greatest sense of humor and displayed it through the artistic talent that he was so gifted with. He presented me with his drawing of "The Lifer". Let's face it, being as outspoken as he was, if there was trouble anywhere you can bet that Larry was somehow involved. When the 822nd deactivated myself and Larry ended up at Nellis AFB in Nevada. Larry for some reason always looked up to me and always found the time to stop and chat whenever we met. He was always appreciative of the times I was able to help out in some of the messes he got himself into. This was something we were able to share and laugh about together.

I retired from the USAF in March of 1972 and went on with my life. Thirty years later in May of 1999 I received a package from one Clifton I. Sutherland and upon opening and reading the contents it was then that I realized that " The Kid Had Become A Man". Through Larry organizing the 822nd reunions many friendships and memories have been rekindled. I shall always be indebted to Larry, his thoughtfulness, love of life and sincerity will always be remembered.
Rest in peace my Brother Ranger.

Tom Ryan

I met Larry on a connecting flight en route to Tacoma Washington. The next day we flew on to Hawaii; the fun begins. Larry was always like the kid next door. You remember Dennis the Menace? Very likable and full of energy. The same energy he shared with all of us during his last weekend on the earth. All of us were intrigued with his artistic abilities. Don't think I ever met a person who could draw like him. Funny thing is, he never thought it was such a big deal. I still have lots of the drawings he gave me.

We were on the same 50 Cal. gun team. Stienke was the gunner, I was the assist gunner & Larry was the ammo bearer. This was where we really became good friends and brothers.

He was a generous guy. On my 21st birthday in Viet Nam he gave me a Zippo lighter with my name & "50 Cal Master" engraved on it. I still have it. We pretty much did everything together. When we returned to Seymour Johnson, he and I took a few weekend trips to my parent's home in Philadelphia. You know, after 30 years he still had vivid memories of those trips. I grew up in a row home & Larry, the kid from California never saw a row home and he was fascinated!

The 30 year 'pause' in our relationship picked up again when one day out of the blue, I get a letter and in the upper left hand corner was HIS artwork saying "Hey old man". I recognized the art immediately. I was living in Dallas when I got that letter. I called him right away and we picked up the conversation right where we left off. Its as if we were in touch all those years. My family & I had planned a trip to Oregon that summer & we drove up to Federal Way to see Larry-the kid with all that blond hair! My kids slept in the room where he had all his military stuff. Rifles, swords, full uniforms, helmets, etc. They loved it. He let them dress up in the uniforms! When we moved to Cincinnati, he flew out a few times and stayed with us. My kids loved him.

Larry was the "candle in the wind" as Elton John says. He was the spark that ignited all our relationships again after so many long years. It seems as though he knew he had a mission to complete and upon completion, he went home. I miss him.

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