THE WALL OF FACES

Remember to 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...

To my oldest first cousin Betin this is how we used to called him. Heriberto and his brother Hector were the only two nephews from my father side. My father only had one sister (Juanita Segovia Hernandez) was Heriberto mother. We always used to played together he was 10 years older than me and always takin care of me taking me to go get ice creams bars and some Chinese candies to a store near their home in San Antonio. We used to love spending Thanksgiving Nd Christmas days with the family. Our grandmother who only had two children which was my dad and Eddie Mom always said that the first two oldest grandchildren from each side would be her favorites and she would spoiled and she really did spoiled us alot. And I remember he would always let me be first and he would called me Flaquita which means skinny. When we heard about the tragedy that day was the most horrible thing we as a family had to go thru. We had never. Gone thru a loss so sad and very painful. But later we were so proud of theman he had become and the recognition he got. Our hearts ache and couldn't understand the reason why and so young full of life had a very short life. But we knew that was him as a human being he was always ready to be out there helping where ever he could. You have always always lived in our hearts and every year we remember you and your courageous act. And also we are very very proud when we heard about the Cutter that was being built and carrying your name. Thank you Coast Guard for your great gesture. He was a man to be very proud of what he had fought for..

My father, Captain Charles Blaha, too this photo on December 5, 1968, just before the firefight in which Fireman Hernandez was killed and my father was wounded.

Dear Fn Heriberto Hernandez, Thank you for your service as a Fireman with the Coast Guard. Yesterday was Armed Forces Day. Please watch over the USA, it still needs your courage. Rest in peace with the angels....

Memorial Day 2018