THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

Private First Class Donald Keith Bakkie, Served with A Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Don, Woody Elmer and I were three friends that hung around together in 1966 and 1967. Woody went into the Air Force, I volunteered for draft. My training was extensive and I was due to arrive in Vietnam June 8th 1968.. While at home on leave in Sacramento CA, I attended Dons funeral...I experienced survivor guilt before arriving in Vietnam.. I stayed in Vietnam from June 1968 until Sept 1970 and still felt I had not done enough..In the summer prior to going in the Army we would drive up to the mountains near Reno and did teenager things.. It was our last summer of innocence before the war...

DEAR PFC BAKKIE,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A GRUNT/PARACHUTIST. I WAS TAKING INFORMATION FOR MY POSTS ON ALL THOSE KILLED IN VIETNAM FOR MY FACEBOOK PAGE, AND WHEN I WROTE YOURS TODAY, I SAW IT WAS YOUR BIRTHDAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN. REST IN PEACE.

Dear PFC Donald Keith Bakkie, 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