THE WALL OF FACES

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

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.

I was scrolling on Pinterest and Harold's face like so many others jumped out at me, it was oh so painfully familiar, so young, I felt like I knew him even though I didn't. I saw in Harold like others the faces of my comrades then but more to date the faces of my grandchildren and like my children and grandchildren I can never forget them. It should be noted that Harold was alum of Thomas Edison high school who like 63 other young men from that institution gave the last full measure for their country in the Vietnam war. That's a distinction a people should think long and damn hard about especially in today's toxic social climate. As fate would have it Edison lost more former students than any other high school in the country. Harold was a short timer with less than 30 days left, it was customary but not mandatory to place similarly situated soldiers in a safer position (if at all possible in a war zone) but that's a call over 50 years too late to make now. He would have been home before I got in country on December 13th.

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

Private First Class Harold Arthur Doman, Served with Company D, 87th Infantry Regiment (Rifle Security), 95th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Group, 18th Military Police Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.