THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. May you rest in eternal peace.

Sergeant Fidele Joseph Bastarache, Served with Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, United States Army Vietnam.

This Memorial Day marks the 50th anniversary of our service 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. You are FOREVER REMEMBERED.

Joe (Doc) De Frank
B, 1/6, 198th LIB
Americal Div
1st Plt Medic
RVN 1967-68

DEAR SERGEANT BASTARACHE,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN INDIRECT FIRE INFANTRYMAN. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE. ADVENT IS HERE, AND CHRISTMAS IS APPROACHING. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU. THE NEW YEAR IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.

Dear SGT Fidele Joseph Bastarache, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for the ultimate sacrifice that you 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. And please know that men and women like you have stepped forward to defend our country yet again, showing the same love for country and their fellow Americans that you did- you would be proud.

With respect, and the best salute that a civilian can muster for you.

Curt Carter