THE WALL OF FACES

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.

Corporal Thomas Richard Dwyer, Served with Battery F, 16th Artillery Regiment, 23rd Artillery Group, Second Field Force, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear CPL Thomas Dwyer,
Thank you for your service as a Field Artillery Basic. Your 49th anniversary is Friday, so sad. Today is Independence Day, and we remember your sacrifice. 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.

Memories of one date to The Beach Boys with a Paul Revere and the Raiders intro in your sister’s borrowed car and one harrowing phone call from Mary that fateful July day that should have been weeks before a live homecoming still stay with me. You will never be forgotten. I wish I had some of your poetry. I wish you had returned, but you didn’t. May your sacrifice never be forgotten.

It's been 45 years since we were together, The Three Amigos from Massachusetts. Quan Loi. It took me 43 years to finally find "Moonie and you.
Jimmy and I talked yesterday afternoon for the second time and are planning a visit to come and be together with you again around Veterans Day 2014.
I will try to get in contact with any of your family membes prior to our visit in case they would like to meet us. I know that Jimmy had gone to see your mother several times when he came back and fulfilled your last request.
I think of you every day and am going to visit the Traveling Wall in Salem NH this weekend. I will be "in touch." Greatly miss you, Buddy.

George W. Bentley SP4 US Army (Ret) "F" Battery 16th Artillery "F" Troop"
14 Prescott Drive, North Chelmsford, MA 01863-1912
Tel. 978-250-8256