THE WALL OF FACES

Hey Lt. How are you doing out there? 32 years ago today was your last one on this earth, and there has not been a day since when I haven't thought about you. April 14th in 1968 was Easter Sunday, and you and I (and the others in Kilo 3/26) were part of the attack on 881n at Khe Sanh. I'll always remember the sun coming up on the 15th and the terrible smells associated with the jungle and the battlefield. We lay in the dirt next to one another -- waiting for the choppers to lift us out of there -- and there were two large explosions outside the perimeter. We looked at one another and you said, "I hope those were random shells." You grabbed my hand as I ran for my helicopter, and less than 60 seconds later you were dead. I have lived with the memory ever since. In this past year I have been able to reach your brother and your college roommate -- Steve. Good people both, and they miss you as much as I do. It still hurts missing you and mourning for you....I guess I'll be hurting all my life. With respect and love. Dennis

JUST A FRIEND

My days are longer, my nights are shorter, but I will never forget you.
I was just 3 back from Lt. Fordham when he got hit. I was hit also and live everyday remembering. Semper Fi SIR!

Troy L. (Rudy) Varney
3/26 Machine Gunner 3rd gun team

"THINK OF ME"

You know you cannot bring me back,
You know that I am gone,
I walk the streets of Heaven now,
It's my eternal home,
But think of me now and then,
Just as you do today,
Remember that I died for you,
So America could stay,
A land where men are equal,
A land where men are free,
A land I lived and died for,
When you think of Freedom,
"THINK OF ME".

Submitted and written by Loyde P. "Snake" Arender, Machine-gunner, K 3/26, USMC. IN REMEMBERANCE OF OUR K 3/26 KIA. From the KILO COMPANY/3RD MARINE BATTALION/26TH MARINE REGIMENT ROSTER HOMEPAGE. http://home.switchboard.com/KiloCo3rdBN26thMarinesVietnam

"I TRIED"

"I TRIED" my best to save you,
Both you and God know "I TRIED",
"I TRIED" to stop the hand of death,
As I knelt there by your side,
"I TRIED" everything that I could do,
During the fire-fight in Nam that day,
But no matter how hard "I TRIED",
There was nothing I could do or say,
I stared deep into your eyes,
I held you as you died,
And though no words were spoken,
I believe you know "I TRIED".

Submitted by R. Keith Miller - Corpsman - K 3/26. Written by Loyde P. "Snake" Arender - K 3/26 Machine-gunner, USMC. IN REMEMBERANCE OF OUR K 3/26 KIA. In appreciation of "Doc" (Dedicated to all of our K 3/26 Corpsmen).