THE WALL OF FACES

I have much smpathy for this brave Marine's family and friends today and always. It has been forty nine years since he lost his life in Vietnam. His sacrifice will never be forgotten.

I have worked on Elkins Road in East Brunswick for a few years and recently
I saw that a street sign was mounted on top of the current street sign on Elkins Rd in honor of a Marine who was killed in Vietnam. I searched the name and came upon this site. I did not know Mr. Elkins but I felt something that told me to post this. I have a brother in law who was in the army and served in Vietnam .
My brother is a 20 year Veteran of the US Marine Corp. My nephew is currently in the US Air Force. I am proud of them and proud to post this picture honoring a Fallen Her.

I can remember the first time my sister and I saw Jan and Jay on the beach at Oakwood Island (which was a summer colony on the water.) I looked at my sister and said "he's mine'!! Of course, Joanne being much prettier and a year or so older automatically caught his eye, and they were as "item" for the summer. We all took the bus to Playland in Rye at least once that summer and the guys walked around with those felt brim hats for the rest of the season.
It was a sweet and tame summer, where we sat on the beach with transistor radios listening to Murray D Kaye and Dandy Dan Daniel spin the top 40 Rock 'N Roll songs.
We were shocked to find out about Jan's loss in Viet Nam. While we never saw or talked again after that summer, we always assume that life goes on. We've reached an age now were we've started to wonder what happened to the people with whom we've crossed paths, and the Elkin Boys were the first ones from the Island who we wanted to find out about.
Our hearts are with his family and friends, his wife and his son, and of course, with Jay...
Jill (Gjelsten) Keogh and
Dr Joanne Gjelsten

Semper Fi, Corporal.

Dear CPL Jan Avery Elkins, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice 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. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

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

Curt Carter