THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your brother Stephen is especially poignant and reflects the anguish experienced by so many who lost loved ones in this war. May you rest in eternal peace.

Memorial Day 1968 was different than any other Memorial Day I had experienced…..and was to be a day forever changed for me and my family. You see, my oldest brother, Charles Curtis Crow had enlisted in the United States Marine Corps just 7 months earlier. It was the height of America’s involvement in the “Vietnam Policing Action” and we were sending our youth into the jaws of war as fast as we could graduate them from boot camp and basic training. The draft was on and my brother knew that he would be drafted just as soon as he graduated high school. In order to have some kind of control in this whirlwind my brother sat down at the kitchen table with my parents and convinced them to sign paperwork that allowed him to enlist at 17 years of age and more importantly, it let him pick his branch of service. Just a small modicum of control…….I don’t believe my Dad ever forgave himself for signing. In fact over 50 years later, remembering the anguish I had at times seen on my Dads face; I refused to sign the same paperwork for my own son.

On April 13th, 1968 my brother was killed in action in the Republic of South Vietnam. He was 18 years old. He was the 1st child born to my mother and father. He was the oldest son….the “birthright”, and we were never the same. Some family traditions ended and were never repeated and new traditions began….one of the new one’s was the somber observance of Memorial Day.

On Monday, Memorial Day; remember our fallen military service men and women. Charles Curtis Crow “I remember you!”

On the remembrance of your birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Forever 18.

Semper Fi, Marine.

Private First Class Charles Curtis Crow, Served with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Dear PFC Charles Crow,
Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. 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.