THE WALL OF FACES

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

Lance Corporal Benny Glen Hack, Served with Marine Observation Squadron 6 (VMO-6), Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG-36), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW), Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Dear Lcpl Benny Hack,
Thank you for your service as an Aviation PME Chief. The war was years ago, but we all need 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.

Benny,

Today, December 20, 2014, I received a message about you. The message was about the girl you knew, that promised to you she would write to you every day, and did.

She was the girl that received a letter from you about you asking for her hand in marriage, because you loved her. She looked forward to your returning home, to marry you. Please be assured that even today, in this modern era in 2014, that she still loves you.

The message to me today, was because I found your profile on findagrave.com, saw her continuing messages to you, and sent her a message from me to her about you.

After your death, she did go on with her life, which a young woman should do, like all the other young women that faced the same thing she did. She is a beautiful and happy woman today, and still says she has a special love for you. I can tell, she was deeply sadden by your death, due to her words to me within her message to me.

When I saw the subject of her message to me today, instant large hot tears begin to fall, as I was unprepared for her message, which instantaneously brought back those days of youth, serving with you in VMO-6, MAG-36, 1st MAW, Ky Ha, Republic of South Vietnam from 1965 to 1966.

Both of us with VMO-6, traveled to Ky Ha, South Vietnam, on the USS Princeton (LPH-5) with all our equipment and birds. Just after our planned arrival, our squadron Marines helped with an aerial assault on what became our home for the 13 months we were there at Ky Ha.

Sadly, though you were hit on November 19, 1965, while flying as a door gunner in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam, and passed on November 25, 1965.

You are the same brother today, as I realized in 1965 during the Vietnam War. All of our losses in Marines during the time we were in Vietnam, continue to be with me, as brothers, still today, in the year 2014, and has been since our beginning involvement within the Vietnam War.

Don't ever believe in one moment, you are not appreciated for what you did, for your service to this once great Nation and for the supreme sacrifice you as well as many others paid for your involvement within the Vietnam War.

You are remembered, guaranteed by those you served with, including me.

Your then future wife in 1965 will hopefully be involved within my life for the rest of my life; or at least that is what I desire. I now am 68 years old, but I will do for her all I can to give what information I can about you to her. That is from one Marine brother to another.

I can attest today, Benny, she is a happily married woman, and that you would be so proud of her, and for the kind of woman she turned out to be.

Last, I salute you as a brother and Marine, and honor you for your supreme sacrifice to this Nation.

Salute!



Sgt Raymond L. Britt, USMC (Veteran)
VMO-6, MAG-36, 1st Marine Air Wing, Republic of South Vietnam

Semper Fi, Marine.