THE WALL OF FACES

In September 2006, Robert Wayne 'Bob' Hook was honored during a memoriam service for the 40th reunion of South Oak Cliff High School, class of 1966, Dallas, TX. Several months were spent preparing the program as a tribute to all our deceased classmates. During this time, my program partner, J. D. Garoutte, former Navy Corpsman deployed with Marines during the '68 siege of Khe Sahn, obtained a copy of Bob's Silver Star citation from a family friend. We knew nothing about this previously and read it in stunned silence. I had the honor of reading the citation during our memoriam service. There was not a dry eye in the room and no lack of astonishment at the selfless bravery that cost our dear classmate his life while saving others on the battlefield. I will furnish copies of Bob's graduation photo and reproduced Silver Star citation upon request, as well as post them here.

Robert is buried at Grove Hill Memorial Park, Dallas TX. BSM-OLC AM AMCOM PH

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Frye – 1932

Robert W. Hook was born March 5, 1948 and his home of record was Dallas, Texas.
He served with the 3-506th Infantry (Currahees), 101st Airborne Division. According to "The Stand Alone Battalion" written by Jerald Berry and Joe Alexander: On February 12, 1969 in the Battle at Outpost SARA, three Currahees were killed: Corporal Billy Frank Harper, 19, from Cleveland, Mississippi; Sgt. Robert W. Hook, 20, from Dallas, Texas; and Sgt Salvador DeLos S. Rios, 20, of Runge, Texas.

Robert Hook was buried at Grove Hill Memorial Park Cemetery (Garden of Ages) in Dallas, Texas. God rest your soul, Currahee!

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