THE WALL OF FACES

Hey dad, just wanted to stop by and give you an update. Robert is doing great in college and so is Abby. Jasmine is back in college and killing it at her job.
I’m repairing my fence this week and thought to myself…how cool would it be if we could do it together! Robert comes home for Spring Break Friday, and I might just wait to fix it, so your grandson and I can do it together ?

I miss you.

A

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. You Silver Star citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow soldiers. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

Dad,

I know we only met once. I was 6 months old. You had 2 weeks R&R and I have 3 pictures of us together. You were killed 2 months later. Mom really took it hard and the telegram of your wounds arrived two days before her birthday and the telegram of your death came 4 days after.

There are so many days I think about what life would be like had you survived. Mom ended up putting me in a foster home for about 5 years until Aunt Karen found me.

I wish we could talk. There have been lots of father figures in my life, but somehow it doesn’t feel quite the same. I grew up hearing so many stories about you. I’m not sure I add up to the legacy you left, but I’m trying. Sometimes I need advice. Sometimes I need help fixing things around the house...sometimes my kids need a grandfather to lean on. They don’t know you either, but they ask me questions about you often.

Dad, I don’t know you, but I miss you. I miss you a lot. I

Dear Captain Robert De Celle,
Thank you for your service as an Armored Reconnaissance Unit Commander. 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.

Having served with Bob for over a year in Bamberg, Germany, I was delighted to run into him in Long Binh, Vietnam in mid-February, 1971. We caught up on old times and good friends over lunch at the Chinese restaurant in Long Binh. As a Cobra gunship pilot, he was understandably nervous about upcoming support missions, but confident in his abilities as a pilot. We spoke of his wife and young son born in Germany, and he greatly looked forward to returning to their California home. I am so glad we had lunch that sunny day. He was a good man.