THE WALL OF FACES

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 sunlight 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.

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

Dear A2C Jimmy Kemp, Thank you for your service with the 37th Security Police, Squadron. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. We are approaching Thanksgiving. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

A2C Jimmy Kemp was a security policeman serving with the 37th Security Police Squadron, 37th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force. On June 6, 1967, A2C Kemp was drowned while cooling off in a river after a training exercise on a hot day. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vspa.com] The following is an account of the incident by Car (Kelly) Chamberlin: (The) best way to describe Jimmy Kemp is he was a Gentle Giant who stood 6’ – 6’1” who was quick with a laugh and smile. He hailed from South Carolina as I recall. (Operation) Safeside 1041st (USAF light infantry) initially arrived and set up a Phu Cat (Air Base) in 1966 which was established on a former Viet Cong training site complete with tunnels all about. Phu Cat was to be an air base for B 52’s and other aircraft as a point mid-way between Thailand and North Vietnam for those aircraft that had been shot-up or damaged while on bomb runs which could not return to their home base in Thailand or wherever. The 1041st recruited individuals from the 37th SPS (Security Police Squadron) which had just been formed in April 1967 and assigned to Phu Cat which was situated in the central highlands of Vietnam, 19 miles inland from the coastal town of Qui Nhon on the South China Sea. Upon on our arrival at Phu Cat, they initially asked for volunteers to be trained by the 1041st to perform their duties of ambush, search and destroy, operation of APC’s (armored personnel carriers), and to train those volunteers and recruits from the ranks of the 37th SPS in the use of mortar and special weapons that they used. The 1041st was on a six-month tour which was coming to a close and would return to their home base in Hawaii. The designated flight for this newly formed unit under the 37th SPS was to be called “Cobra Flight.” After a short period of time Jimmy Kemp was asked to be a member of Cobra Flight. He was excited to join and was extremely proud to have been asked and couldn’t wait to start his training. One of his first training exercises was a day search which was a long hike out from the perimeter and back. It was a typical boiling hot June 6th, so they stopped to rest and cool off in the river upon their return to the base perimeter near the ROK (Republic of Korea) camp. Jimmy got into trouble in the water, so two team members jumped in to help. One gave up for fear of going under himself and swam back to shore while the other made one last desperate attempt to save Jimmy. But he was a big person and had all his gear on, including his combat boots, and his teammate was exhausted himself. Jimmy slipped from the grasp he had on his upper shoulder and Jimmy just gave him a look of I'm done and drifted off under the water downstream. To this day, he says he still has nightmares and sees that look every night in his dreams. [Narrative by Car (Kelly) Chamberlin (November 2016)]