THE WALL OF FACES

When our group arrived at Ft. Benning, Georgia, in 1966, to begin Officer Candidate training, the platoon to which I was assigned included a man whose military experience and background stood out from the rest, who were mainly recent college graduates. Eddie Kitchen took us under his wing, guided us, counseled us, and helped us through the rigors of the training program. I admired this man, who had the physique of a boxer, for his compassion for his fellow soldier, always, however, with a view to duty. Eddie, we came to learn, was a champion boxer in the Army. He could well have served out his career in that capacity. He wanted to be an officer, and took this opportunity to advance in the Army. He was a family man, proudly carrying photographs of his wife and children. He always had a smile on his face. He was a quiet, yet gregarious man. He never failed to inquire about problems which confronted many of us, and he offered assistance and suggestions. Then came our orders, most receiving assignment to RVN as 1542s. Each day in the field, of course, our thoughts were on that day with little appreciation of what our friends from Benning were undergoing. The periodic arrival of the Stars and Stripes, tattered from handling, and smeared with the red mud of the Central Highlands, focused us on the MIA listings, which we all knew usually meant more than that. When I saw Eddie's name, my stomach sank. How could it happen to him? He was bigger, stronger, than that. I do not know the circumstances of that event, nor do I care to know. I do know, however, that when it occurred, Eddie was doing what he had to do, for his country, his family, the Army, his friends, comrades, and unit. I needed to put this in writing to let his loved ones know that there are still some of out there who knew and respected Eddie and understand his sacrifice, that he carried out his obligations with compassion and a view to duty. God Bless you, Eddie Kitchen, Jr.

12-2-00: Anyone who reads this and knew Eddie and who has a photograph of Eddie please contact me at [email protected] This is for his relative Cleo who has never seen him or a photo of him. Please see the next remembrance. Gerald Koelling.

For the uncle that I never met , my name is cleotha webster jr.

the jr is for u uncle. u + unknown + n + nephew + c = cleotha + L = love that we never shared.

+ E = forever in Life and Eternity.