THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Raymond Milar is touching and harkens back to the carefree days of our youth. Sadly, those days ended much too soon for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Dear Sgt Alberto Milar, Thank you for your service as a Medical NCO with the 1st Cavalry. Thank you for the lives you saved. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is another autumn. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Until just now I only knew him as Pineapple. I was there that night that we lost him. The LZ was, as usual, under heavy mortar & rocket fire. I was operating Bu Dop Arty for a short time, sent up from Quan Loi, where I was assigned to HHB 1/21st Artillery 1st Cav. Fire Direction Control. I was told that Pineapple was helping another wounded soldier when he was killed by a mortar or rocket. I was only a few yards away when Pineapple was killed. He was and remains a hero!

Alberto, not a day goes by without remembering you. You were a great friend. We were side by side in our sophomore class photo at Hilo High School. Miss you my friend.

Before leaving for Vietnam, Al was working as a welders apprentice for Hilo Iron Works, and as a combat medic for Hawaii Army National Guard. After work we'd go to the watering hole for some brewskis, along with his local buddies Jerry, Peanut, and Dale. Al, would light up his all too familiar cigar, Drop money in the juke box and play his favorite "Hey Jude" by the Beatles, and "Green Green Grass of Home" by Tom Jones. Those were a small part of the days we thought would never end.