THE WALL OF FACES

Rich, I always think of you , especially on Memorial Day. I remember our time in Manhattan and how close our families were. Even though we were cousins I always thought of you as a big brother. We all looked up to you. I was crushed when I heard you were killed in VN. Then I was drafted 6 mos later. In the 1990s I found a letter you sent my parents from VN - no complaints and you asked how we were doing. You were always thinking of family even in those trying times. You are our hero and we wont forget you.

Some may think you are forgotten
Though on earth you are no more
But in our memory you are with us
As you always were before….

Rich was my best friend. We were inseparable during our high school days. We were teammates on the basketball and lacrosse teams. Graduated in ‘60. Rich went to Pratt in NYC , I went to Suffolk Community College. Somewhere around ‘62or ‘63 we each got a letter from Uncle Sam. Rich was drafted and I wasn’t . We were best friends until his untimely and unfortunate death in Viet Nam. Miss you my buddy , my children and grandchildren all have heard of some of our antics as teenagers, which by todays standards would be labeled as “lame”, through it all we were and will always be best friends. See you on the other side, Mike

Your parents were my childhood neighbors In Brentwood. Though you were killed before I was born, your memory remains. Thank you for your sacrifice, Sir.

Dear PFC Richard Lancaster, Thank you for your service as a Huey, UH-1 Helicopter Repairer. I researched you on your 77th birthday, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. For many of us, we have begun Lent. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.