THE WALL OF FACES

Donald J. Fillers was my uncle. He was the only one of six children to attend and graduate from college. He was handsome and left behind a beautiful wife and three year old son. The moment that still brings me and my mother to tears is as the funeral procession moved through the small town of Greeneville, Tennessee, everyone stood in front of their homes and businesses and saluted. They gave him a hero's welcome home. It meant so much to our family. I remember my parents sobbing and that frightened me. I was only five. They had a closed coffin funeral but my mother and aunt insisted they be able to see him. They just couldn't accept he was gone. My mother allowed me to see him, too so I would know the reality of war. I never forgot.
Tami VanHoose