THE WALL OF FACES

We were high school and college sweethearts, best of buddies, and had great expectations of a long marrigage, several children, and looking forward to all of the events of growing old together. When he was called to serve our country, he faced that challenge, like all the others, with courage and commitment. His memories gave me the strength to endure my loss and encouraged me to seek peace and happiness. In the few short years that we shared, both of us learned the important virtues of life and I continue to keep these a priority in my everyday living. My life changed forever the day I lost Jim and nothing can explain how one feels or the events that take place when losing someone so special. But, I am the person I am today, because of the experience we shared. I don't take life or relationships for granted and it is easy for me to share my love unconditionally. There isn't a day that I don't have a reminder of Jim and because of this, I praise God for allowing me to love this wonderful individual. I only regret that each of you reading this (including my present husband and children)didn't have the opportunity to know and love Jim like we did. You would then understand the loss that our families have had to accept all of these years. It is with the same pride that Jim felt when fighting for our country that I now feel from others since we have been personally attacked. For all these years, I have understood the purpose and the value of Jim's death but didn't feel that other people saw the necessity of defending our freedom. Now our whole country is full of love and respect for those who have given their lives to protect ours. I truly am grateful for the honor my Jim is now receiving. He and others gave so much, that we might have freedom and each one has earned and deserve our respect.

I was with Jim's wife when she found out he'd been killed. She was terribly in love with this young man and their lives together had been so short. Jim was funny, full of kindness and consideration. He and Darnell were a perfect pair, childhood sweethearts. His death was definitely a blow to everyone in Oakley, his home town. Darnell and I made a blanket for him in rce of all the things he'd done in the service. It was fun to work on it with her but so sad that we had to do it.