THE WALL OF FACES

David ( my friend.)
Thinking of you on your special day and remembering
All our big plans for the future, that are gone but I have lived
a life of solitude and reflection.
Many times my thoughts are brought back to a place of youthful enthusiasm and hopeful sense of future.
Sometimes I reflect in a way that takes me to a darker place
But as I am aging I forget a lot of what happened over there.
Maybe That’s a good thing but memories are funny, sometimes they shroud you with pain and misery.
In coming years, I won’t remember all of what happened but It is important to remember your fallen commrads.
Never forget them.
They are the most important and Tragic of
Memories, hold them all close before they disappear.
I miss my Marine buddy and best friend.
I sometimes wonder where my life would be, had David lived.
We made plans it’s true but as John Steinbeck wrote ( Of Mice And Men ) and Robert Burns wrote his poem,
(To a Mouse),this in some ways, Chronicles our journey
“ The Best Laid Schemes of O’ mice an men”,
often go awry..
Much love to my fallen brothers and a shard of hope for the future of our country and Corps.
Miss my fellow Marine, miss my best friend, miss our youth.
I’m 68 now and David Is frozen in his 19 years, only to be thawed by the love of friends and family.
He was engaging, happy enthusiastic, loyal to the Corps and
Devoted to his country and all the good values America stands for.
Sgt. Dana P. Zuber USMC Retired

Remembering you on this Veterans Day, November 11, 2017 As it is also your birthday I pray that you have family members left to remember you each and every day.

In 1968 David and I enlisted in the Marine Corps
while we were still in high school. We went in on the
buddy plan( ya right, they separated us right after
Boot Camp).
David went over before me in Dec. of 68 and died
4 months later.
I was honored that the Banks family asked specifically
for me to be the body escort.
I went to meet Davids body at the base in
Dover Delaware and in my dress blues and
an American flag on my lap, I did just that, I brought
David Lenox home to his final resting place.
He was born on Veterans Day, very fitting for a
Patriot like him to be born on that auspicious day.
I go home to Superior almost every year and I am
Sure to visit all the graves of my own family and all
Of the Banks' grave sites as well, first Johnnie then
David, where I spend a little more time with him
And relive the memories that I keep close to my heart.
He was my best friend and I will always pay tribute to
my buddy that we all lostthat 21st day of April, 1969.
That happens to be his Fathers birthday.
This story and this family, will always have my
Utmost love and deepest respect till my dying breath.
This family showed me what it means to be a family.
They shelterd me then, to lessen my grief, even though
They were in mourning over the loss of two sons.
They lost their oldest son and their youngest son.
At the funeral Mrs Banks saw that I was having a hard
Time fighting back the tears and the lump in my throat.
Realizing this, Honey grabbed my hand, looked me right
In the eyes and said, "Dana, we have so much to be
Greatfull for". Wow, that snapped me right out of it and I
Was able to continue presenting the American flag from
A greatfull nation, to a family that had paid this price
But a few short years earlier .
In my life, when faced with my trials overseas, I was
Always strengthen by this fact, "All gave some,
Some gave all", but in this case, this family gave
Everything!!

My house was separated from David's, a white two story, by a big brick wall when they lived in Duluth MN, before moving to Superior WI. My brothers Mike & Kenny did get in a bit of mischief with Peter, David and Jimmy. I remember the boys at Holy Rosary School and playing hockey at Longview. We missed them when the family moved to Superior.
I remember when David and John died, and the sadness & disbelief in our neighborhood. We were also angry.
It was an honor to touch his name on the Wall, and an honor to be able to write this remembrance today. He has been fondly remembered for decades.

DEAR PFC BANKS,
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN ANTITANK ASSAULTMAN. SEMPER FI. ELECTION DAY IS TODAY - WATCH OVER AMERICA. IT STILL NEEDS YOUR GRACE. VETERANS' DAY IS APPROACHING AND THAT IS YOUR BIRTHDAY- SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER AND HONOR ALL OF YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS GUIDE YOU. REST IN PEACE.