19012 Dowden Circle, Poolesville, MD 20837

Property Description

SOLD AS IS! This wonderful 3 BR split-level is so much more than a nice house in beautiful downtown Poolesville. This was the long-time home of American Hero Richard "Gunny" Remp, a veteran of three wars (WW2, Korean, and Vietnam) and an icon of kindness and cheer in his tight-knit neighborhood. Gunny, who recently passed away at age 98, made Poolesville his home for almost 50 years. He and his wife, Dorothy "Dot" Remp, raised their son Richard in this home and their grandchildren, Rick and Donna, have nothing but fond memories of their good times in Poolesville. Gunny grew up in Sharon, PA, and was recently awarded his (slightly delayed!) high school diploma by Sharon High School Superintendent Justi Glaros, who drove five hours, from close to Pittsburgh, to make the diploma presentation after some wrangling with her Board of Education to get the authorization. Ms. Glaros worked with Poolesville's American Legion Daniel-Jeffers Post 247, specifically President Julien Singh and the unstoppable Jim Cappuccilli, to help fulfill one of Gunny's dying wishes---to get his high school diploma. Surrounded by friends, family, and his veteran brothers, the presentation was indeed memorable---please google it to watch for yourself. Gunny passed just two days after the awarding of his diploma. According to the Monocacy Monocle, "at the beginning of the Vietnam War, Gunny served as a crewman and door gunner on a UH-1 Huey helicopter. During one sortie, Gunny heroically laid down heavy suppressive machine gun fire of over 1,500 rounds to protect a reconnaissance team that had been surrounded by Viet Cong. His hands had become bloodied just from holding and firing the weapon so intensely for so long. Gunny saved nine lives that day. His only comment about the incident? 'Yeah, I did good.' During his Marine Corps service, Gunny was awarded the following: Presidential Unit Citation with one star; Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V Device; Air Medal (5th Award); Combat Aircrew Insignia with three stars; Good Conduct Medal with five stars; American Campaign Medal; Victory Medal (World War II); National Defense Service Medal with one star; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Dominican Republic); Korean Service Medal with three stars; United Nations Service Medal for Korea; Vietnam Service Medal with one star; and Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device." The neighborhood will be hard-pressed to replace their beloved Gunny. He enjoyed hanging out in his garage with his friends and his favorite beers, cigars, and chewing tobacco, plus he was ready to swap interesting stories with all who made their way to Dowden Circle. His strong wave, American and Marine Corp flags, and wonderful stories will always be remembered. Poolesville was blessed to enjoy "Gunny" Remp and his family for almost 50 years.