THE WALL OF FACES

Dear SSGT David William Barnett, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

I did not know SSGT David Barnett but I served with the 25th Infantry Division (1-27 Infantry Wolfhounds) from 1969-70. I salute your Service and Sacrifice. May you find the peace of the Lord and your family and friends as well.

Dear David, to honor your memory and the sacrifice you made for our country I want to make sure your photo will be displayed on your birthday each and every year when the Education Center is completed, so it is with great pride and humility that I post this remembrance and picture of you. You are not forgotten and remain in the hearts of many all these years later. You have been designated to be one of God's special angels, along with the love of my life, who also sacrificed his life during this war 45 years ago. God Bless You, David, for being who you were and for all you did--we live in freedom to this day thanks to heroes like you.

David,
Thank you for serving our country so proudly, and at such a huge sacrifice. High school study hall at Bluff City High was always a hoot with you in there! The Vietnam Memorial is coming to Johnson City this coming week and I will be there to trace your name, and bring you a rose. It's been forty years since we were students, but I think of you often. I remember the vibrancy of your youth and the twinkle of mischieviousness in your eyes. You usually managed to get our entire row in trouble! Thank you, my dear friend for fighting for my freedoms and freedoms of a nation that failed to show respect to our Vietnam Veterans. I will always treasure the brief time that we had in school. I will always remember the sacrifice that you made for all of us. I hope you rest in peace, Dave, and may God hold you in the palm of His hand. And, to all the 58,000 names on the Wall with my friend, Thank you!

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