THE WALL OF FACES

I can't shake 3/13/1968 from my memory. You and Dean and Hampton, my favorite three buddies in that jungle half way around the world. I'm pissed more every year as I recognize how self-serving politicians mindlessly put American military personnel in harms way, often for no good reason. Love you man.

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.

Private First Class Walter Elmer Handy, Served with the 585th Engineer Company, 937th Engineer Group, 18th Engineer Brigade, United States Army Vietnam Engineer Command, United States Army Vietnam.

You are in my heart and mind often. Today as I meditated doing gardening in my yard I was glad that you didn't have to see the America that it seems we are becoming. We have a wave of anti-Americanism spreading and overwhelming many parts of our beloved Country. I cannot believe what so many Americans are caught-up in. Clearly (in my mind) they have absolutely no clue what the Freedom and Liberty that they're trying to change, IS. Obviously (to me) they've mindlessly enjoyed Americas' gifts, but they don't know what they are because they've never been without them. They have no knowledge of the hardships, pain and death - of people like you, and every other name on that Wall - have endured so that others, INCLUDING THEM, would be blessed with the Freedoms and Rights and Liberty that our Constitution proclaims for us all. Thankyou Walter Elmer Handy. I miss you and shall never forget what you stood for. I spoke to you daughter a few years ago. She is living a life that you can be proud of. You are her North Star as she navigates through her own life.

On March 13, 1968, a U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division convoy was traveling between Kontum and Dak To on Highway QL-14, eight miles north of Pleiku in Pleiku Province, RVN, when it was ambushed at approximately 11:15 AM by a North Vietnamese Army force estimated at 300 soldiers. The convoy had 150 vehicles formed from three engineer companies: the 509th Panel Bridge and the 70th and 585th Dump Truck. The enemy attacked from behind foliage on both sides of the road utilizing small arms, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenade fire, and claymore mines. Satchel charges were thrown at the trucks in hopes of destroying them. The Engineers fought back with unit weapons, however, as an Engineer convoy, Companies 509, 70 and 585 were not equipped with the best weaponry. They were outgunned–and stuck–in a fight that lasted over five hours. During the battle, the convoy was supported by U.S. Army helicopter gunships and Air Force tactical air strikes. The Americans were able to inflict forty-eight enemy deaths and suffered thirteen U.S. killed and seven wounded. The lost engineers included PFC William E. Dean, SP4 Raymond P. Dobrzynski, PFC David L. Hampton, PFC Walter E. Handy, 2LT William J. Hondel, PVT Russell E. Hupe, 1LT Kosmas P. Kapetanopoulos, SP4 Drek A. Landes, SP4 Glen H. Mosley Jr., PFC Alvin J. Munson, SP4 Larry D. Sherman, SP4 Joseph R. Wenzler, and SP4 William P. Worley. Damage to convoy vehicles was moderate. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vvmf.org, and “Seeking a photo, he uncovers a fallen soldier’s final hours.” uwm.edu/news, May 19, 2015]