THE WALL OF FACES

(Photo Credit: Brian Danker) Rest in peace with the warriors.

Michael is buried at St Joseph's Cemetery, West Roxbury, MA. BSM-OLC

My mere words of “thank you" cannot express what I really feel for your service to our country and the ultimate sacrifice that you made. But, I do most humbly thank you.

Although others might feel that the loss of your life was in vain and that the Vietnam War was a senseless war, I am one American who does not feel this way. I believe that what you did for our country was not in vain, but has and will always be an influence for good for us today and for countless generations to come.

Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing up for what was right and for paying the ultimate price.

In your honor today on your Angel Day I leave this short poem for you:

“There is not greater love than this.
There is not a greater gift that can ever be given.
To be willing to die, so another might live.
There is not greater love than this.”
~ Steven Curtis Chapman

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you , one of the gentle heroes and patriots lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

I have no relation to you, sir, in fact I've just now read your name for the first time. But I wish to simply leave a remebrance for you, because I feel that our name, Michael, speaks volumes of any soldier. I don't know if you were a religious man, but Michael is the name of God's highest Archangel, his strongets and most devout soldier. Michael is now the patron saint of all armed services and protectors, and I have no doubt that he was with you throughout your time in war. Just as He expelled Satan from heaven, so too did you try to expell the injustice and oppresseion that grips and strangles this world. I wish I could say that there is no more injustice in the year 2005, that your efforts succeeded in eradicating all forms of evil from the world; unfortunately I cannot. I can say, however, that your last full measure of devotion has left me with the freedom to live a life of choice and happiness. I will forever be in your debt, and I only hope that someday I may be able to tell the story of Vietnam to future generations, that they may be as grateful as I am.

God Bless and thank you,
Michael Anthony Selvester