THE WALL OF FACES

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.

William we love you so much, my mother Sylvia Gazard Garcia was your cousin. I was six years old but remember when the soldiers came to the door to give us the bad news of you passing (your mother was crying so much) that has always been on my mind; of course I was young and didn't really know the situation of what really was happening. I decided to google you and found you my mother is 83 years old and I can't wait to show her that I found you. I'm about to be 60 years old now my name is Alfred Garcia and I will make sure the family will never for get you.

You gave your life so that we can be free, I'm so proud of you, what a strong man you must have been. I wish I would have gotten to know you more. I'm writing this on 5/28/2021 just a few days away from memorial day, we will not forget you and all of the fallen heroes, HOME OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE! God Bless America because of you William we are FREE!

Phuoc Vinh Base Camp was a U.S. Army base north of Bien Hoa in Binh Duong Province, RVN. On July 27, 1967, the camp and airfield were attacked with 137 rounds of 122mm rocket and 82mm mortar fire. Thirteen U.S. were killed in the barrage and 71 were wounded. The lost Americans included the following U.S. Army personnel: SP4 William L. Amos, PFC John C. Biondillo, SP4 Merl W. Ferguson, SGT William Gazard, SP4 Kenneth L. Hendrix, SP4 David L. Myers, SFC Leroy A. Nelson, SP4 Bobby G. Peterson, PFC Ernest Phillips, PFC Richard J. Wehrheim, and SP5 Harold E. Young. SGT John R. Evans was accidently killed during the bombardment while he was helping another soldier out of a foxhole when a rifle discharged. The errant round struck Evans, fatally injuring him. An airman on the base from the 8th Aerial Port Squadron was also killed, SSGT Harold D. Moneysmith. Moneysmith and a couple other Air Force personnel were stationed at Phuoc Vinh to handle logistics for Air Force flights to and from the base. He was reportedly outside of his tent when the 9:00 PM attack began and suffered a fragmentation wound to the neck. There were light equipment and material damage sustained at the installation. A later Allied search and destroy operation located the enemy 122mm rocket positions approximately four miles northwest of the base. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and Headquarters, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Office of Information, monthly press release for July 1967]

Sergeant William Gazard, Served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear Sgt William Gazard,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Happy Thanksgiving. It has been too long, and it's about time for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.