THE WALL OF FACES

Dear PFC Jerry Kays, Thank you for your service as an Armor Crewman. Your 71st birthday just passed, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Veterans’ Day is next week. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Jerry and I lived on Mt. Gilead Rd outside of New Castle, Ky. We were in grades 1-4 together. Rest In Peace my brother. Thank you for honoring your country and giving your all.

Thank you PFC Kays for your courage in dangerous times, in a dangerous land.

I remember Jerry very well. His grandmother lived next door to my grandmother, and I saw Jerry often.

He was nine years older than me, so we didn't hangout together as friends would. However, when he visited his grandmother he was always very friendly and often made a point to stop to talk to my grandmother and me, as we often sat in the swing on her front porch.

A few times I saw Jerry cleaning and shining his car in front of his grandparents' home. I'll always remember how proud he was of that car.

I'll also always remember the pain the extended Kays family and their friends felt after Jerry was killed. My grandmother grieved as if Jerry were her own grandson. Many years ago one of the Traveling Walls was at the Kentucky State Capitol. I drove my grandmother to see it. She was very old and in no shape to walk from the car to the display, but she wanted me to go point to Jerry's name on The Wall. I did, and when I returned to the car she was crying just as hard as the day we learned of Jerry's death. She told me, "He was always such a good boy." That is how I remember Jerry also.

I offer my most sincere gratitude for Jerry's, and his family's, sacrifice and his service to our nation.

Dear PFC Jerry Allan Kays, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter