Thoughts on the death of Marvin Reifsnyder

Marvin Reifsnyder presented with a picture of him and Lee Greenwood which was taken at the 2018 Warren County Fair. Photo courtesy of Warren County Fair Facebook page.

We learned of the death of at Hidden Springs Senior Living this past week. We first met Marvin last summer when we were putting up an art exhibit there.

Often, he was sitting outside when the weather was nice and if he was not outside, we probably would find him sitting in the Lobby. Sometimes he would be sitting with other veterans who were living there. If we didn’t see him right away when we arrived at Hidden Springs, he was probably lying down resting in his room or visiting another resident. Whenever, we saw him, he would be proudly wearing his World War II Veterans hat with service ribbons.

Whenever we got to Hidden Springs, we looked for Marvin. He was special not only for his age, but for the stories he would occasionally tell. His military service was also important to us.

We’re both so pleased that now active duty military and veterans of the several wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and other places are given a well-deserved “welcome” and “thank-you” for their service. Chips (who is an Army veteran) recalls that this was not always the case. When Chips (and too many veterans) traveled in uniform during the Vietnam conflict, it did not engender many warm welcomes or thanks.

It was an exhibit of paintings and prints which brought us initially to Hidden Springs… and there was Marvin. Along with Vicky and Daryl Davison, the Principals of Hidden Springs, we always got a warm reception there.

We still plan to go to Hidden Springs on occasion, but we won’t see Marvin. We will be among the many people who will miss him.

Bryane Miller Lickson
Charles “Chips” Lickson
Front Royal, Virginia