THE WALL OF FACES

Specialist Four Richard Edward Heil, Served with the 15th Administration Company, 1st Cavalry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your sister Marilyn is touching. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

I just got there in February 68. Richard Heil was my mentor and he was a "short timer". Short timers were nervous people.
It is now 2021, what I found out happened to me, MRI's proved and the VA got honest and told me. I suffered a blood clot to the brain (ceberal hemmoraging), T.B.I. and seizures and had a hole in my right leg. I made no complaint as I did not know what happened other we were hit and I was the only one to survive that night. The Army would not even have me see a doctor as "First Cav Policy from the Top General down is going on sick call is called "malingering" and punishable by reduction in rank and a fine. I call any those still left over, no one felt pain and suffering that night because it was over as soon as it started. It was a direct hit. Like others I was punished when I got out in '72 and Colorado Job Service would not get me employment and turned down unenployment because I got hurt. It took until 2004, 2005 to get the mri's as the VA does it's best to not provide care to former combat soldiers. My heart directly goes out to our younger Men and Women especially of the National Guard. Over the year the Army and Air Guard's role has steadily growing and my wife & i (original wife married in 67) have a friend that has been deployed at least 10 times. That you to the other families of Vietnam Combat Veterans you all have paid a huge price. Everyone killed that night got the Purple Heart, even though DOD provided the records of my being there around 1984, I can't have the Purple Heart because I did not get to see a Doctor. The only reason I exist to day is I have a wife stubborn as a bull, she don't give up, and she is the one who put me back together. She knew every little detail about me because of her thousands of hours of chats with my mom starting when she was 12 and I was 13. She is my replaced brain. Our 54th anniversary is April 2021 and we got a lot years that others did not. She was even too stubborn to get rid of me. BTW I did get medevaced from Vung Tau to Camp Drake Japan, the end of my second tour which was in Pouc Vinh.

Dear Sp4 Richard Heil,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. 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.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.