THE WALL OF FACES

DEAR PRIVATE BEDFORD,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A MACHINE GUNNER. SEMPER FI. THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS OVER, AND IT IS A NEW YEAR, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.

We never had the honor of meeting. You were my cousin. I'm the granddaughter of Percy Lee Bedford of Austin Texas. Thank you for your service. Our Bedford family line runs long with women and men who have served and continue to serve today. My dad(Percy Eugene Bedford) my middle son (still serving in the Army) and of course yourself, showed so many of your love, honor and dedication to the freedoms we ALL have today. Our Freedoms came with a price of you serving our country. I salute you and love you for your humanity and courage.

Although I grew up in Milwaukee, I never knew Willie. I did serve in Vietnam at the same time he did and I will keep him in my prayers and thoughts forever.

If memory serves me right....Charles and Willie Bedford went to St Benedict the Moor School with us. I recognized him from the pictures. I'm not sure if there are pictures of them in the school's archives. They were given pet names by other classmates in reference to Willie being more fair in complexion than Charles. R.I.P. Dear childhood friend.and national hero.

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor Willie.