THE WALL OF FACES

I was five years old in1958 when you went off to Annapolis. I still have the midshipman cap you sent me then. I remember your telling me that you would someday nominate me as Queen at the Army-Navy game. You were my first hero.
I was nearly ten years old when you married. Mom had to take me over to the park because I was crying so hard...you were supposed to marry me, you know!
I was fifteen years old when Dad walked into the multi-purpose room to tell me that if anyone could make it out alive it would be you.
Mom walked around the park again with me the day of the memorial service.
Now I'm principal of a school and every year I take the 8th grade to the wall. I tell them about the war, about heroes, and about you. I show them your hat and hope that they will learn from what I have to say.

I will remember your name forever. I don't know what you look like or anything else about you, but I wore your name.

I didn't understand the war or the reasons behind the fighting. I was just a naive freshman in high school. I only knew that our men were far away representing our country. You deserved our respect.

I wore a bracelet with your name on it until the coating wore off... and still I wore it.... it never came off my wrist... it finally broke in half after almost three years. Then I carried it in my purse... I kept watching the papers for your name... hoping to find out that you had been found... Hoping that you had been reunited with your family. We owe you a debt that can never be repaid. We owe your family a debt that can never be repaid.

I visited the traveling wall in Oregon and found your name. I still have the rubbing. I left you the the bracelet.

Rest in Peace. I will remember your name forever.

Cheryl L