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 sun 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

Lance Corporal Joseph Thomas Bailey, Served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

LCPL Joseph T. Bailey was trained as a rifleman assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines. While serving at Khe Sanh Combat Base in Quang Tri Province, RVN, LCPL Bailey was a radioman where he handled company-level communications. On the afternoon of February 15, 1968, Bailey was on radio watch when the company command post received a direct hit from a NVA rocket. Bailey suffered a critical head injury and was evacuated to the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Station Hospital at Da Nang where he succumbed to his injuries four days later. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Charles Chamberlin (November 2001) at thewall-usa.com]

DEAR LANCE CORPORAL BAILEY,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A GRUNT. SEMPER FI. HALLOWEEN IS APPROACHING, AND ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS' DAYS - THE DAYS WE HONOR THOSE WHO LEFT US. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS GUIDE YOU. REST IN PEACE.

Dear LCPL Joseph Thomas Bailey, 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