THE WALL OF FACES

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

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POSTED ON 5.24.2005

POSTED BY: Lt.Col. Karol E. Franzyshen

A Tribute to Major John Edward Bailey, USAF

As a young man, John was an USAF navigator classmate of mine. We entered training on 17 Nov 1959 at Lackland AFB, Texas as class 60-19N. After eight weeks of preflight training, we transferred to Harlingen AFB, Texas for undergraduate navigator training. After eight months of tough academic and flying training, about half of the class successfully graduated on 4 Oct 1960. Like I, John went on to Mather AFB, CA for advanced navigator upgrade training as Class 61-K. There some trained for duty as navigators in air refuelers, reconnaissance aircraft while others trained as navigators and bombardiers in B-52 and B-47 bombers. Upon graduation in June 1961, I believe John went on to an assignment as a B-52 navigator. Like most of us navigators, John had a strong desire to go to pilot training. A few years later, he was selected for USAF pilot training and upon graduation he went on the upgrade training in the F-105 aircraft. His first assignment was to Korat, Thailand where he was to fly very dangerous missions over North Vietnam. On his very first mission on 10 May 1966 while bombing a bridge 15 miles north of the DMZ near Xuan Hoa, NVN, he was lost when his aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire and crashed. The crash site was excavated in July 1995 and in March 1999 John's remains were identified and returned to the USA for burial. As a navigator classmate, John was a good friend, a dedicated student and he stood out as a young leader. He is undoubtedly sorely missed by all that knew him. I am proud to have known and served with him. His loss was not only a loss for his family, friends and classmates, but a great loss to the Air Force and America as well. He gave his all for the country he loved. For that he will always be remembered.

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POSTED ON 12.10.2004

POSTED BY: Robert Sage

We Remember

John is buried at Ft Snelling Nat Cem.

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POSTED ON 4.23.1999

POSTED BY: Custer, Chaplain VNV MC, MN Ch

To Brother Bailer, Our Ghost Rider in the Wind

Ride in the wind forever,
In our hearts always-
Welcome Home, Brother.
God Bless Us All.

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POSTED ON 4.17.1999

POSTED BY: HONDO VIETNAM VETS M

ONE DAY , ONE LIFE-TIME ONE CLUB BROTHER

TODAY, AN IRRESISTIBLE AND LOVING FEELING CAME OVER ME TO BRING ME TO THIS GRANITE WALL. THE TEARS ARE HARD TO HOLD BACK SO I LET THEM FLOW. I DIDN'T COME HERE TO SAY GOOD BYE BUT TO SAY HELLO AND TO BE TOGETHER EVEN FOR A SHORT TIME. I'M ONE OF YOUR BROTHER, ONE OF 3 MILLION. WE'RE HERE FOR EACH OTHER WITHOUT QUESTIONING THE NEED. WHEN ONE OF US IS CUT ,ALL OF US BLEED. WE'RE ALL THAT WE HAVE AND NOTHING TO HIDE, YOU'LL ALWAYS BE WITH US , RIGHT HERE BY OUR SIDE. OUR
PATHS NEVER CROSSED YET, HAVE NEVER SEEN YOUR FACE. I KNOW THAT I'LL KNOW
YOU, WHEN I GET TO YOUR PLACE. I KNEW THAT I'D MISS YOU, I JUST DIDN'T KNOW I'D MISS YOU AS MUCH AS I DO.
I CRIED LAST NIGHT, I KNOW WHY. I HURD YOU CALLIN, I WIPED MY EYES. I KNOW IT HURTS , I FEEL IT TOO. YOU CRIED LAST NIGHT I CRIED TOO. REST NOW MY BROTHER , I'LL WIPE YOUR EYES, I'LL FEEL YOUR HURT, I'LL CRY YOUR CRIES. THERES NO MORE PAIN, YOUR TOUR IS THROUGH, WELCOME HOME MY BROTHER, I REALLY MISSED YOU... I SAY THIS FROM MY HEART, YOU KNOW THAT
ITS TRUE. AND YES MY BIG BROTHER, I WILL CRY FOR YOU. YOUR NAME I'LL REMEMBER, AND SO WILL MY KIDS, TEACH YOURS NOT TO FORGET, THIS GOD FORBIDS. ONE DAY WE WILL HOOK UP, AND FLY TWICE AS HIGH, SEE YA SOON MY BIG BROTHER, I NEVER SAID GOOD-BYE AFTER ALL THIS,, I HOPE YOU CAN SEE, THAT BEING YOUR BROTHER IS A TRUE HONOR TO ME ~!!~ .
WITH WHISPERS OF LOVE AND BROTHERHOOD, FROM MY HEART, HONDO,
PRESIDENT, VIETNAM VETS MOTORCYCLE CLUB USA, MINNESOTA- CHAPTER "C" HERES TO US, AND THOSE WHO WISH THEY WERE.
P. S. I AM PROUD TO WELCOME MAJ. JACK BAILEY AKA "BAILER" TO THE VIETNAM VETS M/C USA, FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP POST-HUMOUSLY AFFECTED 4-10-1999 BY THE POWER GIVIN TO ME. HONDO PRESIDENT VNV M/C USA-MINNESOTA CHAPT. C & 100%-YES
SIR, WELCOME ABOARD BROTHER,WELCOME HOME BAILER,ALL PRESENT, AND ACCOUNTED' FOR~!!~

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