THE WALL OF FACES

I remember you from high school as a varsity football player. I think you were two grades ahead of me. I remember seeing you in your Marine uniform walking around school saying goodbye to everyone before you shipped out to Vietnam. You are one of the reasons I join the Marine Corps in 1968. We will always remember and Marines live forever…Semper Fi

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 sun 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.

This is his boot camp photo from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Platoon 188. He earned the title “U.S. Marine” on August 24, 1967.

Thank you for your service to our great country my brother. Semper Fi.

Lance Corporal Laurence Ray Ashmore, Served with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Larry and I grew up together in Houston. We met when we were 9 years old playing little league baseball. Our parents became close friends and my mother would baby sit Larry and his little brother Jerry. Those were great days. Larry ended up going to Memorial High School and I went to Sam Houston High School. Larry was an excellent athlete but we never got to play high school football against one another. Sometime in March 1968 I was in USAF Tech School for B-52's at Chanute AFB, Il. when my dad told me on the phone that Larry had been KIA at Khe Sanh. I was devastated from the news.

I have never forgotten Larry and I saw his name on the wall in DC. I would like to know more about what happened in his final patrol which according to his brother Jerry, he was sent out on a rescue mission to bring in another patrol that had been badly shot up. According to Jerry he had been shot in the head during the rescue. Larry was a fearless person and I'm sure a gallant warrior.

Larry, RIP my friend and Semper Fi. You will not be forgotten.
Mel R. Brown