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 sun 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.

As long as you are remembered you will never die....

Fireman Frederick Vincent Arens Jr., Served aboard Assault Support Patrol Boat 112-1 (ASPB 112-1), River Assault Squadron 11 (RIVRON-11), Task Force 117 (TF-117), United States Naval Force Vietnam (USNAVFORV).

DEAR FIREMAN ARENS,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A NAVY FIREMAN. REST IN PEACE.

Late in the evening of May 24, 1968, MA Frederick V. Arens Jr., a crew member of assault support patrol boat (ASPB) 112-1, while proceeding aft of his boat, tripped on a cleat and fell overboard one mile south of Dong Tam. One of his shipmates leaped over the side and attempted to rescue him, but he was unable to keep him afloat in the strong current. An immediate search of the area anchorage failed to find him. MA Arens’ boat was moored alongside of the USS Tom County at the time of the incident. His body was discovered the next day near the Dong tam navy base. [Taken from U.S. Naval Forces Vietnam Monthly Historical Supplement May 1968, p 65]

We never met. I was born long after your passing. I know you only from the stories your brothers and mom would tell. Thank you for your sacrifice.