THE WALL OF FACES

I visited the wall today as i sometimes do and spent some time thinking of you, our fraternity pledge class at Hofstra and the many good times we had. I will always remember Christmas Eve before you left for Vietnam. You came to our house in your dress blues radiating pride. We were all proud of you. You will never be forgotten.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from those who knew you are touching and reflect their admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

May those who served never be forgotten. We can never truly repay the great debt we owe our fallen heroes. Rest in peace 1LT. Fernandez, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family.

First Lieutenant Gary Dennis Fernandez, Served with Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 33rd Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

It has now been over 50 years since you made the ultimate sacrifice for your country, and left us alone without you. While we lost our youth, grew old and gray, became tired, feeble and lost our strength, and face death ourselves. You were 20 years old then. You have remained 20 years old, to this day. In our hearts you remain the young, handsome figure of youth and strength. While you missed a lot of life's adventures, you also missed a lot of its pain, sadness and disappointments. Which is worse? I don't know. I do know that in the near future, we will all pass from this World and be reunited with you in God's eternity, where He will wipe away all our tears (Rev. 21:4). On that day, as Christ has promised, all the past pain and suffering will be errased. We will all be reunited in Him for eternity, in love and peace that passes all understanding. (Phill. 4:7). All praise and glory be into Him, our savior and master, Lord Jesus Christ. I love you, Chico, my eternal best friend.
In Christ,
LTC (Ret) Paul R. Jones