THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Sir, we are a nation indebted to you for your service and ultimate sacrifice. And the sacrifice given by your family and friends.
I know your lovely daughter, Kellie, and her husband, James. Clearly, from your picture, Kellie looks like you. They are really wonderful people and have a son who now serves our country. You would be so proud of them.

Tears pour as I read the remembrances to you and as I write my own to you.
I was in my late teens and early twenties during Vietnam and I remember the somber effect that war had on me as my friends left for Vietnam. It was gripping to drive by the guy's houses and see their cars sit off to the side of the driveway waiting for them to come home. It was a chilling heartache every time reminding me they were so far away from home and us in a very dangerous place.

I apologize for the faction of our country who weren't respectful to your service at the time.
The members of my family and I will always be grateful to you for your willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for us. I don't know what it is to be as brave as you to be in such a dangerous place for the people of this great nation.

I'll think of you now when I see Kellie. I'll share your story with my sons, grandsons, and others. You will be remembered.
Rest in perfect peace.
Respectfully sir, Jan Sharp

Thank you for you service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from you friend Ric Graham is moving. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

Lieutenant William Lee Covington, Served with the 30th Naval Construction Regiment, 3rd Naval Construction Brigade, United States Naval Forces Vietnam (USNAVFORV).

Dear Lt William Covington,
Thank you for your service as a Staff Corps - Engineering Officer. It is so important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

On January 7, 1969, a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter CH-46A (tail number 152552), call sign Lady Ace, from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164 (HMM 164), was conducting a routine flight between Marble Mountain Air Facility (MMAF) and Chu Lai for mail and passengers when it crashed into a mountain west of Chu Lai during bad weather. Four Marine crewmen and one U.S. Navy passenger were killed in the incident. Because of the weather, the aircraft was being vectored back to MMAF when radio contact was lost while it was heading southeast of Chu Lai over the South China Sea. It disappeared from radar while on a heading in a southeast direction. Search and rescue missions were launched and flew for a couple of days with negative results. The lost helicopter was not located until September 22, 1969. The crash site was undisturbed, and the remains were reported as significantly deteriorated, but intact. Prior to the discovery on land eight months later, it had been assumed to be a loss at sea. The lost crewmen included pilot 1LT Glenn J. Ford III, co-pilot 1LT Vincent L. Jacobs, and crewmen SGT Paul D. Fleming, and SGT Glenn E. Hobart III. The Navy passenger was LT William L. Covington of the 30th Naval Construction Regiment at Da Nang, RVN. [Taken from popasmoke.com]