THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Without people like you our great nation wouldn't exist. Rest in peace
CAPT. Davenport, you shall not be forgotten.

Dear Captain Robert Davenport,
Thank you for your service as a Tactical Aircraft Pilot. Your 49th anniversary just passed, so sad. We are celebrating Passover and Easter. It is a time of joy, and may that be yours in heaven. 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.

I visited the Vietnam War Memorial in 1983 and took a picture of this (see photo). A notice of a service held for him on June 22, 1983 was pinned to a wall while a one armed veteran's reflection shined on the monument. I attached a copy of the photo, hopefully someone will read this post and find the memories useful and not too painful. I did not know him but he is one of the many thousands of Americans who have perished from the scourge of war.

Bob and I trained as an F-4 aircrew at George AFB in the summer and fall of 1968. We both were assigned to Udorn RTAFB, where he talked the powers- to- be into having me join him in the 555th TFS, as we had trained together. I remember the mission which caused us to be awarded the DFC. We had escorted a recce F-4 on its Pack I mission. As we still had ordnance, we were assigned a FAC in Laos. We rolled in on the AAA which had been active. As we were using a radar bombing mode, I had my head in the scope. Going down the shoot, Bob, in an excited voice, told me I should see all the rounds , which were heading our way. We drop our bombs and Bob jinked us out of the target area. The FAC told us we'd scored a direct hit on the gun. I had confidence that Bob would take care of us. A quiet, humble guy and a friend.