Newly Weds: October 20, 1934

Monroe Franklin Arender (age 24) poses for a picture with his new bride Florence Nadine Sutton (age 16).

Monroe and Nadine Arender: Snake's Parents in 1969.

This picture of Snake's parents was taken in 1969, while Snake was serving in Vietnam. The first time that Snake ever saw his Dad "show any emotion" was in December 1968, only a few minutes before Snake was to board the plane for a return flight to Camp Pendleton, then on to Vietnam. Snake said, "Dad's eyes sort of glazed over, and as his eyes started to water, he tried to speak,but his voice cracked; he cleared his throat; hugged me real tight, and then Dad said: Patrick, be real careful. I love you." A few years later, when Snake and his Dad were discussing the day that Snake departed for Vietnam, his Dad said, "Patrick, I spent over a year in the jungles of Indonesia in 1960 during a military revolt; and, I also know how cruel the jungle can be; to make it worse, you were going to a war in Vietnam, as a machine gunner in the infantry. Honestly, Patrick, I didn't know if I'd ever get to see you alive again".

Ernest and Charlene Keen: Kay's Parents

Ernest and Charlene Keen

UDC Cross of Military Service

The UDC Cross of Military Service is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a direct descendant of a Confederate soldier and was awarded to Loyde P. "Snake" Arender by the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) based on the service of Snake's Great Grandfather Private Sampson (Orender) Arender, Company G, 46th Mississippi Infantry Regiment and Snake's own service in Vietnam.

Private Snake Arender,CSMC

While on vacation, Snake poses as a Private in the Confederate States Marine Corps.

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