THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you all for the comments and remembrances about Darryl. I have communicated with a couple of you, and I really appreciate your kind words. My name is Ted Francisco, my dad Donald Ray Francisco was married to Darryl’s mom before he and my mom married. If you knew Darryl or are familiar with anything about him, I would really appreciate it if you could contact me. My email address is attached. Thank you so much.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from fellow soldier Warren Hunt is poignant. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

I had come in off perimeter defense and finished breakfast in the mess hall. As I was walking out the door the first round hit. There were one or two more explosions after that. I was on the ground and saw him walking down the road toward the company area when a rocket hit near him. We were all shaken by the event. A lot of us were crying. Several guys in our company had already been killed or seriously wounded during the year I was there. We were Company A, 121st Signal Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. We called ourselves the "first of the twenty-first" because we got shot at so much. The company commander held a memorial service in front of the CP. A field cross was erected with his M16/bayonet, helmet and boots. When I went to Washington for the memorial dedication, his was the first name I looked for. I later wrote to the family and spoke with his brother, I believe his name was Don. I mention this all in my memoir: "Reflections on the Vietnam War: A Fifty-Year Journey." It's been over 50 years, and it still hurts. I offer my greetings and best wishes to Darryl's family and friends. May he live on in loving memory.

Private First Class Darryl Grant Francisco, Served with Company A, 121st Signal Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

On the remembrance of your 70th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Forever 18.

HOOAH