THE WALL OF FACES

Based on the five year difference in our ages (I was born in 1954) and other circumstances, I think I met Christopher L. Dellapina when I was 11 or 12 years old. He was probably in his last years of high school while I was finishing middle school or just starting junior high school. This would have been 1965 or 1966.

Chris and I lived in different neighborhoods on opposite sides of a large grade school "campus" that had lots of open lawn areas, a baseball field, basket ball court and tennis courts. My house bordered the front of the school grounds where I could see most of the school's outdoor facilities from my bedroom window. Chris must have been involved with track and field and other sports while in school because I frequently saw him running, throwing a javelin in one of the fields, or "shooting hoops" in the basket ball court. At some point, my older brother (Adrian) told me Chris was the older brother of his friend and classmate Gary Dellapina.

On an overcast fall day I remember I was "shooting hoops" alone on the basket ball court and really struggling to put the ball in the hoop - I never liked basket ball (and still don't). Chris must have seen me struggling and stopped what he was doing to offer me some friendly pointers on basket ball. I remember him telling me "not to think about what I was doing, but to just do it." Apparently, trying to think about what I was doing while I was trying to do it didn't work. Following his advice helped to improve me. I have drawn on Chris's advice many times under different circumstances since that cold fall day - each time improving my performance. I have passed his advice onto other people including my 7-year old daughter who started playing softball this spring. If it works, use it.

My path crossed Chris's path a few more times in the school yard over the next year or so. It was never planned, but he always stopped and took the time to ask how I was doing. I remember him spending a few minutes showing me how to throw the javelin. In total, I expect we spent less than an hour together over the few visits we had, but that was enough for me to realize he was a good person and someone I could look up to.

Over the next few years I became aware of the Vietnam war and that Chris was involved (my brother told me). I would have been 15 and in the tenth grade in 1969 when my brother told me Chris had been manning a machine gun in a helicopter when it was shot down and Chris was badly burned, but expected to live. A few days later I was deeply saddened to learn (also from my brother) that Chris had died of his wounds. I was concerned about, but could only imagine the suffering of his family.

I was in my second year of collage when the Vietnam War ended. Many of my friends in collage were older than I and Vietnam War veterans. They didn't talk much about the war, but it was clear that I was fortunate that I did not have to experience it as they did.

I have visited the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC several times over the years - finding Chris's name during each visit. I feel a sense of loss when I see Chris's name on "The Wall" with all the others. But I am also proud of his service and sacrifice.

I remember Chris each time I visit my old neighborhood and see the relatively unchanged school yard across the street from my old house, every Memorial Day, or when I see track and field events (especially the javelin), and when I pass the advice he gave me onto some kid that's struggling with a physical activity.

Christopher L. Dellapina is missed, but not forgotten. As are all those who have served our country.

Not a day goes by that I don't miss my older brother.