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 sunlight 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.

2LT Stanley M. Baker served with the U.S. Army’s 5th Special Forces Group and was assigned to Detachment A-416 at Kinh Quan. On May 20, 1967, 2LT Baker was traveling in an assault boat with three others on a canal in Kien Tuong Province, RVN, when they were ambushed by the Viet Cong about four miles from the Cambodian border. The attack occurred about 5:00 PM while enroute from Ap Bac to Moc Hoa. The enemy attacked with grenades and small arms, killing all four personnel. The dead included Baker, a Philippine agricultural representative working for the U.S. Agency for International Development, a member of the South Vietnamese government armed propaganda team, and the son of the deputy commander of the propaganda team. When the boat failed to arrive at its destination, an Army observation plane was sent out and found the bodies. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “VC Ambush Boat, Kill 4.” Pacific Stars & Stripes, May 24, 1967]

2LT Baker,

Thank you for your service. We are distant cousins and I only recently became aware of you and your ultimate sacrifice for our country. Thank you for your service. I wish we could have met, but you will never be forgotten.

Respect and Gratitude,
CPT Brandon Baker, US Army (ret.)

DEAR LIEUTENANT BAKER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN INFANTRY UNIT COMMANDER.
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 2LT Stanley Martin Baker, 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, Sir

Curt Carter