THE WALL OF FACES

Rest easy good friend, you are never forgotten and always loved, Thank you for your unselfish act of sacrifice. I think about the good times we had in High School often and will always remember you. Till we meet again.
Rich Ide

Friend, gone but never forgotten. A great Marine, a better man.

Second Lieutenant Steven Eugene Backhaus, Served with Company D, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

DEAR LIEUTENANT BACKHAUS,
THANK YOU FOR BEING A MARINE BASIC INFANTRY OFFICER. SEMPER FI. PEOPLE ARE DECORATING AND PREPARING FOR HALLOWEEN. IT IS BECAUSE OF YOU WE CAN. REST IN PEACE

Steve sat on my left in Westside High School study hall and Pat Brock on my right. Together we formed a team that passed hilarious banter back and forth. For example, Steve was a Lutheran, like me, and Pat was a Catholic, like my father. Steve and Pat would argue back and forth as to which religion I should rightly adhere. Steve was also in my prep-physics class, and when Pres. Kennedy was assassinated we put our heads down facing each other. No words, just thoughts. As a fellow member of Pacific Hills Lutheran Church, Steve and I prayed together and laughed at so many of our Walther (youth) League gatherings. When I was a junior in at Nebraska University, Steve's death was announced at church and I happened to be home that weekend. My heart was broken, and Steve has been the friend and veteran I carry in my thoughts until my last days. So Steve, these are my thoughts to you on this Memorial Day Weekend, May 23, 2015. My daughter was and is a Marine, just like you. She served as a CH-53 pilot in Iraq. She and her Cobra pilot husband have two children. I wish you could have known them. Semper Fi.