THE WALL OF FACES

I was a pen pal with Sgt. Lewandowski when I was in the 3rd grade. He sent me the most beautiful silk Christmas card from Saigon. I never knew what happened to him until I found his name on theV V Wall with my husband and I burst into tears. I will never forget you and the sacrifice you made for our country. Pam

Dear Sgt Leonard Lewandowski, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. You are still MIA. please come home. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Happy Spring! It is Holy Week and Passover is also this week. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Be at peace with the angels.

I have worn your MIA bracelet since the 70's. Your information was barely visible due to wear. Recently at a volunteer event removing invasive brush, it must have gotten torn from my wrist and I didn't realize it until the next day. I will be ordering a new one with your name. Know that I think of you every day when I looked at that MIA bracelet.

Although I never met Mr. Lewandowski, I lived a few doors down from his parents in Des Plaines, IL. I recall my parents taking us small kids to his wake/ service. This had to be in the early '70's. I memory was rekindled after watching Ken Burns' Vietnam series. Such an incredible waste. RIP, sir - you are not forgotten...

The three school pictures of Leonard Lewandowski came from his senior class yearbook of 1964 at Gordon Tech High School in Chicago, Illinois. One photo is his senior class picture and the other two are from his football team. Leonard went missing on October 19, 1966 along with Michael Burke of Chicago and Richard Mishuk of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Leonard and Michael have memorial markers at Arlington National Cemetery. Richard Mishuk has a memorial marker at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minnesota. Thanks for the pictures goes to Philip Mohr, Director of the Des Plaines History Center and Barbara Van Slambrouck, who once wore Leonard's MIA memorial bracelet. May these three men never be forgotten.