THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Waycross (March 24 – 25, 1966) was a 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 5th Division search and destroy operation northwest of Phu Loi in Binh Duong Province, RVN. The objective of Waycross was to locate and destroy the Viet Cong (VC) forces which raided the ARVN 5th Division Headquarters elements at Phu Cuong, the capital of Binh Duong Province, and recover captured equipment. Among the items lost was an ARVN M41 Walker Bulldog tank believed captured by the VC during the March 23rd assault on the compound. On the first day of Waycross, contact was established with VC in the Phu Cuong area. During a three-and-one-half-hour firefight, U.S. forces engaged in heavy fighting, sustaining 14 killed and 25 wounded. The lost personnel included (from A-1/26) PFC Al J. Chattin, PFC James M. Cornett, SGT James A. Doke, SGT Carl H. Joyner, PFC Albert M. Keen Jr., SGT Allen G. Lane, SGT Robert L. Mack, PFC Leonard D. May, SGT Jesus A. Munoz, PFC Clyde E. Murr, PFC George T. Reynolds (medically evacuated to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, died of wounds 03/27/1966), PFC Michael D. Schatzley, PFC Robert E. Urbanovsky, and PFC General White. Enemy losses were unknown. The missing tank was not immediately recovered. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and cia.gov/readingroom]

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Dear Sgt Allen Lane, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Your 54th anniversary is soon, sad. 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.

He loved us so.
Every day, in a hundred ways, he told us so.
In honesty, in affection, he told us so.
He loved us so.
Every day, in a hundred ways, he showed us so.
With loyalty and bravery, he showed us so.
He was our defender, and he kept us free!
He took an oath to guard us, and fought for liberty!
He loved us so, and we should know.
For we loved him so.
Sergeant Lane, you were the very essence of DUTY!...HONOR!...and COUNTRY! You had been there and done that in Vietnam! You were one brave man who did brave deeds for our America! You fought for the right without question or pause! Your name and fame are the BIRTHRIGHT of EVERY American citizen! I(n your youth and strength...your love and loyalty...you had given all that mortality can give to defend liberty everywhere! Butler is very proud of you! You sacrificed your life so that freedom and justice may live! You had lived up to the code of conduct and chivalry of those who guard this beloved land!...an ideal SO NOBLE that it arouses in all of us a sense of pride, and yet, of humility! I strongly and honestly believe that Avonmore's own Jill Corey, whom I greatly and immensely admire as one of my three top favorites songbirds of all time, the other two being Walton-on-Thames's own Julie Andrews, England's musical queen, and London's own Dusty Springfield, another thrush from England, would be very proud of your service to America, and the sacrifices you made to keep us and our country free! Well done, Sergeant! Be thou at peace. ARMY STRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear SGT Allen George Lane, 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