THE WALL OF FACES

My name is Dennis Ward and I am writing to you about Calvin Kolb; although we were not next door neighbors (we lived about a 1/2 mile from them) we grew up in the same farm community just outside of Donald. Calvin rode the same school bus that my two older brothers and I did. Although he was several years older than I ( he graduated from High School while I was still in elementary school) we rode the same school bus and I remember him as quiet and shy. We all attended the North Marion school district, my brothers and myself from 1 thru 12 and I think Calvin did as well although I don't know for sure. I do know that he was an only child of older parents. I don't remember their names I just knew them as Mr and Mrs Kolb. We had a small farm and my Dad did custom haying for them a few times so I mowed their hayfield for them. I remember Mr Kolb as quiet and reserved and Mrs Kolb as a kind and matronly lady who made kool-aid for me to drink when I mowed their hay.

My Dad would have remembered them but he passed away in 1993. My Mom was a P.E. teacher and counselor at North Marion High School for 33 years and she remembers that Mrs Kolb was heartbroken and bitter after Calvin's death. I remember that their place was always immaculately manicured and trimmed before his death and gradually fell into disarray after. I seem to recall that Mr Kolb passed away a few years later and I don't know what became of Mrs Kolb. Calvin played either trumpet or coronet in the school band ( mom remembers it as trumpet and I remember it as coronet), either way his mother donated it to the school and they put it in the trophy case along with his picture as a remembrance of Calvin.

Dear SSGT Calvin William Kolb, 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 was their the day you left us Calvin. If only a few more days had passed we would have celebrated at Di An when we deactiveated but I know that wasn't God's plan as I know God has a good solider with him. I never had a chance to thank you for your friendship but I valued it however short. I know I was young and wild back then but I'm really trying to do better now in hopes of seeing you again one day. I know it's got to be great up their because Kahuna's up their with you now. Well trooper I'm going to close for now and also apoligize for not talking to you sooner as I had what they call a mental block but with the help of some really great people I'm doing better. If you see Kahuna tell him I think of you and him often. See ya in a while trooper, Irby (Smokey) Gillespie

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 hero’s 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 heros 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

Dear Calvin,
My name is Katie, and I’m part of the Gridley High School Posting Project which consists of posting remembrances for all of you who fought in the war. Our goal is to post a remembrance for everyone on here. You were so brave to give up so much and fight in the war. I don’t know if I would have the courage to do it, but if it all came down to me having to, I would. It is so exciting knowing how hard you and everyone else fought during the war. Thank you for everything you have done.
Sincerely,
Katie