THE WALL OF FACES

Private First Class Charles Douglas Drysdale, Served with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

51 years ago today, Doug. You paid the ultimate sacrifice in an attempt to save a fellow Marine. You left this world that day but your spirit lives on. Doc

Doug usually sat next to me on the school bus my junior year at Berry High School in Hoover Al (Birmingham). I was new to Berry that year. He was very nice and I got to know him pretty well. I remember him being so proud when he told me he was going in the Marines after graduation. I have thought of him often over the years. Here it is 51 years after his death and he still comes to mind sometimes.

I remember Doug from my families days in the Civil Air Patrol. I was too young to join, but on an outing he allowed me to participate on his team. I remember as being so kind and an amazing leader.