VIEW ALL PHOTOS (5)
HONORED ON PANEL 21W, LINE 93 OF THE WALL
THOMAS WILLIAM HERBST
WALL NAME
THOMAS W HERBST
PANEL / LINE
21W/93
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
HOME OF RECORD
COUNTY OF RECORD
STATE
BRANCH OF SERVICE
RANK
REMEMBRANCES
LEFT FOR THOMAS WILLIAM HERBST
POSTED ON 4.11.2010
Los Angeles County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
POSTED ON 7.29.2003
POSTED BY: Norman Herbst
He is my nephew / almost a brother
Tom was like my baby brother. He and his parents lived with us when Tom was just a tadpole. I remember feeding him in his highchair, talking to him as though he could really understand me, and carrying him around like a sack of potatos. Then he and his family moved away but we were still very close. Later I taught him how to play chess, but it came back to bite me (he beat me once when he was just a kid....ouch!)Tom was adored by his family and the rest of his kin. He did well in school and we were sure he would have a bright future. Then came the war. He was still just a kid. On July 10,1969 our world was shattered. I'll never forget, the hardest thing I ever did was to attend his funeral. Tom was the second son to be outlived by his parents. That's the worst thing that could ever happen to anyone. Now I know he is somewhere, practicing his chess moves, waiting for me to arrive. I know I'll be there to play him someday in a best-of-five series. I have a lot of practicing to do!
POSTED ON 7.29.2003
POSTED BY: Wayne Timothy Herbst
For some twenty years plus
For some twenty years plus
To them there was only us.
As brothers number one and two
We proudly cried, "We love you!"
All grew together as one
The happy family had won.
The service called so we went,
But for one a life was spent.
It was said our nation needed men.
Where was our country at the end?
A war to let people free was cried.
Our strength rallied and we tried.
One day a uniform at the door
Told us that our loved one was no more.
Why did it happen this way?
Could not our leaders say?
The service called so we went.
But for one a life was spent.
It was said our nation needed men.
Where was our country at the end?
Men say the end is very near
Or is it that tiny word fear?
It is time to stand up and fight.
For yes, we do have the right!
We are very much there brother.
In vain, let us not lose another.
Ther service called so we went,
But for one a life was spent.
It was said our nation needed men.
Where was our country at the end?
At home many people do wait
Only to learn of his fate.
Still another family is hurt again.
We must do something to refrain.
Was it a son, a brother, a husband, a father?
O great leader, perhaps you may answer...
The service called so we went,
But for one a life was spent.
It was said out nation needed men.
Where were you at the end?
To them there was only us.
As brothers number one and two
We proudly cried, "We love you!"
All grew together as one
The happy family had won.
The service called so we went,
But for one a life was spent.
It was said our nation needed men.
Where was our country at the end?
A war to let people free was cried.
Our strength rallied and we tried.
One day a uniform at the door
Told us that our loved one was no more.
Why did it happen this way?
Could not our leaders say?
The service called so we went.
But for one a life was spent.
It was said our nation needed men.
Where was our country at the end?
Men say the end is very near
Or is it that tiny word fear?
It is time to stand up and fight.
For yes, we do have the right!
We are very much there brother.
In vain, let us not lose another.
Ther service called so we went,
But for one a life was spent.
It was said our nation needed men.
Where was our country at the end?
At home many people do wait
Only to learn of his fate.
Still another family is hurt again.
We must do something to refrain.
Was it a son, a brother, a husband, a father?
O great leader, perhaps you may answer...
The service called so we went,
But for one a life was spent.
It was said out nation needed men.
Where were you at the end?