THE WALL OF FACES

In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C., all of the 58,256 names on The Wall were read over a four day period. At approximately 9:20 pm on November 8, 2007 I had the honor of calling the name of Louis Robert Balog. It was a privilege to help keep his memory alive.

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

ONE OF MICHIGAN'S FALLEN SONS

Today we remember LOUIS ROBERT BALOG and the ultimate sacrifice he made for our country. Rest in peace Louis, and know you are not forgotten.