THE WALL OF FACES

After all these years, you are not forgotten by your friends.

Dear AN Lawrence Joseph Gilbert, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

He loves us so.
Every day, in a hundred ways, he told us so.
In honesty, in affection, he told us so.
He loved us so.
Every day, in a hundred ways, he showed us so.
With loyalty and bravery, he showed us so.
He was our defender, and he kept us free!
He took an oath to guard us, and fought for liberty!
He loved us so, and we should know.
For we loved him so.
Airman (AN) Gilbert, your sacrifice was NOT in vain. You gave your life saving your ship and your crewmates from a deadly fire at sea, off the coast of North Vi9etnam! You had been there and done that! You had sailed in HARM'S WAY in defense of America! You had given all that mortality can give! If that Zuni rocket had not been accidently fired from one of the F-4 Phantom fighters, thus starting that tragic fire, you would be alive today! As a Navy sailor, you had lived up to the code of conduct and chivalry of those who guard this beloved land, serving on land, at sea, and in the air. An ideal SO NOBLE that it arouses a sense of pride, and yet, of humility. Ibelieve that Avonmore's Jill Corey, whom Pittsburgh also regard as one of its own, and whom I admire so greatly as one of my three top musical TOP GUNS (outstanding songbirds), all favorites of mine, along with Julie Andrews, who came from England, and her compatriot, Dusty Springfield, also from England, though she passed on some year before, would be very proud of your service to America, and your successful, though fatal, endeavor to save your ship, keeping her afloat. Well done, Sailor! Be thou at peace. Fair winds and following seas to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Larry,
You were a leader of our Cross Country team in the fall of 1964. You usually came in first amongst us. I never had a chance of catching you. I'm sure you also led that woeful July 29th and were lost in doing so. Life wasn't fair to you, but you're in a better place with God now.

Lawrence is buried at St Mary's Cemetery in Pittsburg, PA.