THE WALL OF FACES

It's been so long ago. Monte was awoken in my place for guard duty the night of May 26th. It was my guard shift and he was awoken in error. He pulled my guard shift and planned to wake me up after pulling my shift. A mortar round landed next to him. Whoever would have been on guard at that moment was going to die. God Bless Monte. My name is Robert McEntire. I was his Sergeant at that time. Phone 210-449-9796

Sergeant Monte Leroy Gates, Served with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

On behalf of my high school students who are here with me, I want to thank you for your service and honor your sacrifice. I hope your family knows that you life mattered and your story is still being told.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Now that I'm 74 years old I'm reminded of how blessed I am to get this far. I was with Monte when he died. He died quickly and I believe without pain. He was well liked and well missed in the platoon. We never had time to grieve.