THE WALL OF FACES

I still miss you. Gone but never forgotten. Your little sister, "Weiner Stuffin's." (Author Janine Mick Wills)

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your sister Tamara is moving and reflects her eternal love for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

On Memorial Day, I always remember old Army friends and colleagues, the good ones at least. Fred George Mick always comes to mind first, even though we did not know each other for a long time. I arrived in Okinawa in June 1972 as a green second lieutenant, and was assigned to B Co, 2nd BN, 1st SFG. I became executive officer of SGT Mick's team. We soon became close as the team was assigned in July to a flood relief mission in central Luzon, the Philippines. (The "international airport" sign in the photo is of our helicopter pad -- big enough for one helicopter.) We all slept in one big room with a concrete floor and thatched roof. SGT Mick was outgoing, competent, and made friends with our Filipino hosts better than the rest of us. He and I bonded especially as the youngest members of our team. When we returned to Okinawa and new missions appeared, I was transferred to another team, which went to Thailand at about the same time my former team, including SGT Mick, went to Vietnam.

I left the active Army after my tour in Okinawa but remained in the Army Reserve and retired as a reservist. Fred George Mick has always been one of the best, and most painful, memories of my Army career.

Remembering you with such sadness for losing you way to soon, happiness of growing up with you as my idol, and wishing you could have met my daughter who is so much like me (tomboy). Can it be 50 years already? Remember when the corn picker broke and we had to pick the field by hand? You told me to just put my corn in a pile but I had to show you that I could toss the corn in your pile; I hit you in the head and knocked you out. Way to go me. So many good memories. If you were still here, I hope you would be proud of the way I turned out. Miss you oh so much! Love, your little sis!!

Never forgotten.

HOOAH