THE WALL OF FACES

William is buried at Resurrection Cemetery, Helena, Lewis and Clark County, MT.

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service to our country and for the sacrifice of your precious life.

It is a privilege to be able to honor you for standing up for what was right and for the courage that you demonstrated.

I know that there are many who say that the loss of your life was in vain and that the Vietnam War was a senseless war, but for this American that is not true. What you did for the freedom of others was not in vain but has always been and will always be an example of good and honor today and for generations to come.

You will never be forgotten by me and I will honor your name and your sacrifice all my days.

In honor of your Angel Day I leave this poem for you:

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts.
And we are never, ever the same.” ~ Unknown

Father Garrity,
I only prayed then
for shipboard duty rather than a corpsmans fate with the marines. Those prayers went unanswered; then news came of your death and with it the admonishment to have faith and be of good courage.
Long before, as an altar boy at your mass, I could not imagine that one day your loss on that ship would allow me to see that I could not control my fate but put it where it belonged.
From your faith, my faith and from your death, my good courage.

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you William John Garrity, Jr., for your courageous and valiant service, years of faithfully contributing, and most holy sacrifice, given to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore Sir, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!

Again, thank you LCDR Garrity, for a job well done!

FAIR WINDS, AND ETERNAL PEACE MY FRIEND