THE WALL OF FACES

Dear HN David Drake,
Thank you for your service as a Hospitalman with the 3rd Marine Division, Semper Fi. Thank you for the lives you saved. We remember all you who gave their all. It has been too long, and it's about time 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.

On March 20, 1966, U.S. Marine Corps helicopter UH-34D tail number 149351 from HHM 163 Marine Air Group 16 was on a mission over water when the pilot became disoriented in bad weather and crashed at sea. The crew included pilots CAPT Arthur J. Beach and CAPT Dennis D. Ferguson, gunner LCPL Marvin F. Goodman, medic HN Davis L. Drake and passenger LCPL Lossy R. Wangler. All on board suffered fatal injuries in the crash. CAPT Beach’s remains were not recovered. [Narrative taken from pownetwork.org and vhpa.org; image from wikipedia.org]

Thank you for your devotion to our Country and to your Marines.

Dear HN David Lawrence Drake Jr, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for the ultimate sacrifice that you made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. And please know that men and women like you have stepped forward to defend our country yet again, showing the same love for country and their fellow Americans that you did- you would be proud.

With respect, and the best salute that a civilian can muster for you.

Curt Carter (son of Sgt Ardon William Carter, 101st Airborne, February 4, 1966, South Vietnam)

i'm an 8th grade student from Forest Grove Middle School from Worcester MA. In March a few of the kids from the GIMBU cluster went to D.C. We were each given a vietnam veierain from Worcester and had to get their rubbing of the wall. We will be placing them on the memorial up at Green Hill on June,6. I thought that you should know that after so many years people still remember David Drake and he will never be forgotten.