THE WALL OF FACES

I as well as all who were privileged enough to gain friendship with this great boy soon to become the awesome, tightened, squared away Marine friend. We were a group of about 5. I still and always will hold dear this schoolmate, boyscout, explorerscout, convertible Ford owner . This beautiful fun vehicle adorned with glass packs and reverb was truly our magic carpet for the night. financed by Donald J with his job at McCully nursery. Most of us at the time had no income. And he was generous with anything he owned.. I can still hear that low rumble of the glasspacked mufflers from about 1/4 mile in distance. The louder they got the more my excitement would build. With the car loaded, off we were into another warm summer night of whatever the throw of the dice would bring. If we didn't have the girls from Jennings with us we would bounce from Steak and Shakes to White Castles to Chuck a Burgers or load up his trunk and sneak into the drive-ins. One of the them Known to us as "redball". Let's not forget the "splash parties" at Chain of Rocks amusement park above the river or sneaking into and swimming in Vigus Quarry or a late night spur of the moment road trip. One time back then Don was due in camp Lejune N.Carolina in a couple of days. After a short discussion at 1a.m. in my moms driveway we decided to drive Don directly to the Camp in another friends convertible 64 G.T.O. When in the Smokies a bear got to inquisitive and poked his nose thru the wing window on the passenger side where Don was sitting. DJ smacked this bear on the nose, needless to say we burned rubber the H outta there. DJ had 2 sisters 2 brothers, His sister Donna was my 9 grade student teacher assistant.
I have driven by that brick house on Washington St. and observed Danny cutting the grass a number of times and I wanted to stop. Just when I think I would just stop and talk I`d get choked up and just drive on past. I can't do it. As we drive by I do remind my Son and grandkids about the giant of a friend that is still alive in me. Oh how I wish I could have ridden in that new RoadRunner Don wrote to me about. His plans to buy one when he got home from Vietnam just were not to be.
To the Garvey`s, I do know the continued pain of the loss of a family member in this fashion. You see, my oldest brother Bobs unarmed C54 Navy transport airplane was shot down in the 50s. In peacetime! COWARDS!!!! Bob had the urge to fly. Bob now rest at the bottom of the sea, the area known as the Azores, west of Spain. I simply must stop. There is so much to tell of this true friend. I still have part of the trophy Don got at Alton Drag strip...
Wonderful person, measured responses in all situations, Brave, Clean cut, honerable, wize for his young years, the world would have heard of him. Donald J Was And Remains My Friend.......Michael R. McClenning...7-17-2013

P. S. If anybody cares to tell me anything of Don in vietnam please contact me.
At [email protected]

Semper Fi, Marine.

(Photo Credit: his mother Nellie Garvey) Rest in peace with the warriors.

Donald is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in St Louis,MO.

Mrs. Garvey. Please leave a remembrance indicating where your son is buried. One of the vets is doing a project to post burial sites for all listed on the wall.

Please accept my sympathy for your loss. I lost a very good friend there. I miss him everyday. I got your son's name from the Florissant memorial in Koch Park. We will see them again.