THE WALL OF FACES

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

Dear Sp4 Charles Meakins, Thank you for your service as an Airborne Qualified Indirect Fire Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. I researched you on your 50th anniversary, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. The anniversary of the terror attacks just passed. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Specialist Four Charles H. Meakins was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, with Combat Distinguishing Device (V), for his exemplary heroism in action. He served as an Indirect Fire Infantryman (Airborne Qualified) and was assigned to C CO, 2ND BN, 8TH CAVALRY, 1ST CAV DIV.
See http://www.virtualwall.org/dm/MeakinsCH01a.htm

SGT John J. Kligar III and SP4 Charles H. Meakins were Airborne-qualified infantrymen serving with 2nd Platoon, C Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. On August 25, 1970, C Company was conducting a search and clear operation in Binh Long Province, RVN. The Company was divided into platoon-sized units separated in the field by approximately 1-2 kilometers. After dark, each platoon settled into a night defensive position (NDP). That evening, 2nd Platoon members Kligar, Meakins, SP4 Arnold DeHoyos, and a Vietnamese Kit Carson scout were sent out to set up a night ambush. At around midnight the ambush team began moving back to their NDP, an extremely risky maneuver to perform in the dark. While bunched together in the darkness, they walked into a trip-wired Claymore mine which had been placed by their platoon. Kligar, Meakins and the Kit Carson scout were fatally injured in the blast. SP4 DeHoyos was severely wounded. A medivac was requested, and the dead and wounded were removed from the field. DeHoyos recovered from his wounds and later returned to combat duty with his company. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by John Naylon (November 2018)]

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 Charles.