THE WALL OF FACES

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

I knew when I was drafted in 11/68 that you had paid the ultimate price. We played basketball at Wash Park with Czarneki, I admired your sister Linda and mourned your passing. See you in our next life Rick! RIP!

For: CPL Richard D Kosar,

It is comforting to know that because of this memorial site, many friends, family, and even strangers like myself can come here and pay tribute to you. This is the hope of the Vietnam Veterans Of America. "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another"
SGT Kosar, You are NOT forgotten.

In his last letter he said he was worried about the mission they were about to go; on send more bullets. But the side arm would do no good against an AK! He was a great cousin, he kept us in line. His loss was felt by all of us tragic.

I have been reading from various sources that Richard was drafted in to the Army via the Selective Service System sometime in 1967 at the usual draft age of 19.
His Vietnam tour of duty began on April 6th, 1968. Just 34 days later SGT Kosar and a fellow soldier were caught up in an ambush in Gia Dinh, a province just outside of Saigon. Both of them were KIA.
Now, 52 years ago today May 10th, 1968 seems like just yesterday to me, then being 17 years old. Yet chronologically it is a very long time ago. I found on his memorial page to be just a handful of posts over the many years ago since this website was launched.
There is not even one post from a family member, a friend, or anyone who knew him, and so it goes for many other young soldiers who fought and died in the Vietnam War. Gone and Not Forgotten ? Today, I am entering into the twilight of my life, yet I feel called to duty again to do what I can to let others know about the life of Richard Dennis Kosar. I am hoping that somehow, someone will see this message and reach out to speak of their memory of his life.
May he rest in Peace