THE WALL OF FACES

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 have never met Ralph or "Curt" (that's what my grandpa called him). But my grandfather served with him in Vietnam apart of the 191st AHC. My grandpa said he was a funny guy and he really took the loss of him hard. He said when they heard he was shot, him and the other guys rushed to the hospital and watched the doctors work on him through the window of the operating room. Sadly they couldn't save him. I have been researching what my grandfather had experienced during the war. I found out that Curt was my grandfather's Aircraft Commander when he was shot in the face and Curt is the reason that they didn't crash when my grandpa was shot. Curt kept himself calm enough to get them back to a safe area to land and get themselves situated.

My Dad, Gary Lane, was best friends with Curt Embrey in college and he choose to name me after him (although spelled "Kurt") when I was born in 1979. Dad always had great stories about Curt, including the time he held the Guinness Book of World Records for taking the World's Longest Shower. Haven't been able to verify that one! After Curt was killed my Dad and Curt's father (Col. Embrey) kept in touch and we went skiing with and visited Col. Embrey when I was a kid. My Mom and Dad both loved Curt deeply and his death still resonates with them. I had a chance to visit the Vietnam Memorial and see his name engraved. It's nice to see him remembered here as well.

Chief Warrant Officer Ralph Curtis Embrey, II, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, with three Oak Leaf Clusters, for his heroism and extraordinary achievement while engaged in aerial flight. He served as a Helicopter Pilot and was assigned to 191ST AHC, 13TH AVN BN, 164TH AVN GROUP, 1ST AVIATION BDE.
See http://www.virtualwall.org/de/EmbreyRC01a.htm

We were friends. We won a dance contest together when we were 16 years old at the teen club. I thought the world of you. I'm sure you never knew. God Bless you, my friend.