THE WALL OF FACES

Carris is buried at Beechwood Cemetery, Middlebourne, Tyler County, WV.

My Brother Mike was just that, a big brother who I could turn to for anything. He was the one that I looked up to. He was a leader. I know he was a leader in Nam. he loved to sing and play his guitar..what a voice he had. He was a guy that could do it all in my eyes. No matter what the problem was for me or my brother or sisters, Mike was the one that we turned to for his help or advice. If any of the guys that served with him in Nam would like to contact me, Please do so..

When I arived in Viet-Nam ,I Hardy had time to see Saigon,when they lined us up and called the roll, they sent us off on a long pattrol, shatting flys ,and swapping lies ,firing off a shot here and there, well we saltted down and had our meal by the pail moon light, the meal that they had planed for us tasted like the seat on a cross town bus, some of the vet's left thier's in the can for the V.C. to find , cause it was deadlyer than a land-mine ....................

The first time that I mate Mike was when I re-truned to Viet-Nam on my secound tour ,he had this song that he had wrote ,and every one liked to hear him sing it , Mike is one of my many Hero's , he is my brother MARINE

SEMPER~FIDELIS MIKE

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle hero’s you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heros lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

As a fellow Buckeye, I say "THANK YOU"

As a Veteran, I say "JOB WELL DONE, MARINE"

As an American, "YOUR DEATH WAS NOT IN VAIN"

And as a Believer, "YOUR SPIRIT IS ALIVE--AND STRONG"

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you Cpl Francis, for your courageous and valiant service, faithful contribution, and most holy sacrifice, given to this great country of ours!

REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY MARINE FRIEND