THE WALL OF FACES

Was my teamate at PalamaPop warner⁹

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'm writing this remembrance for my husband. He passed away from the effects of being sprayed by Agent Orange when you first landed in Viet Nam. Karl considered you his best friend ( along with Dave ) that he met while serving together in Nam. You two were two peas in a pod in the attitude, loyalty, patriotism, heroics, love of helping people, and faith in God !!! He often spoke of going hunting wild boar with you. When he came home on leave, he taught me " Tiny Bubbles " in both English and in Hawaiian !!!! He was devistated when he found out what had happened to you upon returning to the field. Karl was the only one in your unit that was wounded and served his full tour in Viet Nam. Others were wounded and sent home to the States. He was glad that he at least got to see you while he was entering the hospital ship and you were leaving to return to the field. He spoke of you often with love and respect. He loved you like a brother. I'm glad that you two can be enjoying each others company again !!! If this sounds like this remembrance is about my husband, I didn't mean it to be, I just wanted to let people to know how much you were respected by him. I look forward to being with him again and meeting you and thank you for being his best friend !!!! You both deserve God's Blessings and enjoy the mansions that He created for you both !!! RIP to you and all the other Viet Nam Veterans !!!! God Love You !!!!

Served with Joseph in A Company, 1/502 Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, we deployed together from Ft. Campbell, KY. I believe he was wounded in February 1968, he could have ridden the rest of the war out in the rear but he came back, who knows why some men return to unbelievably dangerous situations (?). Joe was no medal chaser, he was just an incredibly brave soldier who wanted to return to be with his brothers in the field. He fell during the epic Battle of Phouc Yen, 4/28/68-5/1/68, he'd just gotten back. Joe was one of those who would have answered God, " I am here, send me."

Sergeant Joseph Thomas Kovaloff, Served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, United States Army Vietnam.