THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. We should be forever thankful for the sacrifices of you and so many others to ensure the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Dear Sp4 Charles Lemus, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Your 72nd birthday is this month, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Happy Spring! 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.

On October 31, 1968, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D (tail number 66-16033) from A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 1st Aviation Brigade, was one of two flare ships, each with an AH-1G attack helicopter escort, conducting a Fire Fly mission which included dropping flares for illumination on radar sightings from ground surveillance radar. The normal flare load for this type of mission is 25 flares. Aircraft commander 1LT Milton D. Pate's aircraft had dropped six (6) flares on target number one. The ground radar gave the mission commander another sighting in grid XS8962. The flight of four proceeded to the area and prepared to make the second flare drop of the mission. 1LT Pate's aircraft was approaching the second target for a flare drop at approximately 1500 feet altitude, when the aircraft commander, 1LT Pate, transmitted on the radio. He said, quote, "We have an emergency…we have a flare off inside the ship…KICK IT OUT!" Eyewitnesses in the other three aircraft stated that they could see a fire inside the cabin. Others stated that the fire was hanging outside the right cabin door near the skid. The aircraft started to descend very slowly after the transmission and the fire appeared to increase in intensity. At approximately 1000 feet altitude, there was an explosion in the aircraft. It should be noted that the time lapse between the emergency transmission and the explosion was 45 seconds to 60 seconds. The aircraft then disintegrated and fell almost vertically to the ground. The wreckage was thrown over a wide area. Adverse conditions at the scene of the accident such as water and soft mud did not permit exact measurements between the fallen parts of the aircraft. Six personnel died in the incident including crew members 1LT Pate, pilot 1LT Ronald A. Wolter, crew chief SP4 Lawrence G. Bourne, and gunner SP5 James M. Gheer, plus two passengers, PFC Charles R. Lemus Jr. and SP4 Tomas R. Mesa. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Dear PFC Charles Ruiz Lemus Jr, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

In Remembrance