THE WALL OF FACES

On this Vietnam Veterans Day I got to remembering my friend, "Johnnie". We were best buddies and playmates when we were tiny - 3-4 years old - when our dads were stationed in Beaufort, SC. Our parents were good friends, so we saw each other occasionally over the years. It still shocks me that you're gone - but rest assured you're never forgotten.

I did not know John personally, but in doing the geneology, I do know that he was the 8th generation of a fine, Methodist family that settled in Catawba in Atlantic County, NJ. Frambes' fought in every war, starting with the American Revolution. The tombstones still exist in Atlantic County in a small church cemetery on Somers Point/Mays Landing Road. I visited his name on the wall in the summer of 2016. Susan Frambes

Dear CPL John Malhon Frambes, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

I SAT IN FRONT OF JOHN FOR 3 YEARS IN ART CLASS FOR 2 PERIODS A DAY. WE WERE GREAT FRIENDS AND DISTANT RELATIVES. WE TALKED ABOUT EVERYTHING GUYS TALK ABOUT. I NEVER HEARD HIM SING ....HE WAS SHY WITHOUT THE OTHER DAMNED DAMIANS. I KNEW HE WANTED TO BE AN ARTIST...COMMERCIAL FOR MONEY AND FINE FOR HIS SOUL. WHEN I FIRST MET HIM I THOUGHT HE WAS A TOUGH GUY....HE WASN'T.. HE TALKED ABOUT CARS AND TV AND MUSIC AND GIRLS AND THE WAR AND GUSSY (THE ART TEACHER) AND OUR LIVES AND THE WORLD AND OCEAN CITY AND OUR PARENTS AND HOW OUR ANCESTORS WERE HERE IN THE 1700s AND RELIGION AND GOD...AND KENNEDY AND ENLISTING AND THE DRAFT AND WHERE THE HELL VIETNAM WAS AND CLOTHES AND NO CLOTHES AND WOULD WE GET TO DRAW NUDE MODELS AND MISS ROSSI... ON AND ON INTO SILENCE. LOVED YOU JOHN. I CAME HOME.

Your acapella group got my attention, you got most of my attention. you sang to me in a booth along with John Sebastian,'you didn't have to be so nice, etc.,', I was so in love. At your going away party I went outside and cried, your Dad comforted me. I went to see you at Ft. Dix with your family. You wrote me a heartfelt letter from Vietnam, then you were gone.

I still cry and wonder what might have been. I'll never forget you. I'll always love you.