THE WALL OF FACES

Hey Ralph, you're not forgotten my friend. Thanks for visiting me at the hospital when my leg was broken in parachute training. Your classmate, 3552PTS, Moody AFB, Georgia

I still think of you often. Strumming your banjo and that infectious smile of yours! Gosh, we had some good times together!

Just recently met a classmate of yours from Plattsburgh. We shared photos, memories and a few tears.

You will never be forgotten and still live in the hearts of many.

I met Ralph at Officer Training School in San Antonio, Texas in 1966. His Reveille woke us up every morning; but I still liked him. I fondly remember one fire drill at OTS. All the officer candidates grabbed the brown military wool blankets off their bunks, put them over our heads and filed out to line up for roll count outside the barracks. Ralph correctly noticed that we all looked like monks, and then he broke out into a Gregorian chant!

We both arrived at Moody AFB, GA a little early, and were assigned to do some inventory together, to keep us busy. One memory I have of flying with Ralph was when he was the student pilot in the lead aircraft of a 4-ship formation. He forgot we were in formation and rolled out of a turn too fast. The instructors took over and saving us all from crashing into each other!

I can still see Ralph's smile and happy face, even down to the square surgery scar on his forehead. He is missed.

I may have a photo, and I know I have an extra yearbook from pilot training if anyone from his family, like his wife Sally, would want.

Ralph is buried at Arlington Nat Cem.

Ralph -- I think of you very often. I give many talks about death and bereavement, often mentioning your life and unfortunate death (through war) and how grief never really ends, even with the passage of time. I am so sorry you did not have the full years of life you deserved. Tim O'Brien's novel, The Things They Carried, has taught me alot about your life in 'Nam.

Rest in Peace,
Paul Metzler