THE WALL OF FACES

“We consecrate to thee O Jesus of love the trials joys and happiness of our family life. We beseech thee to pour out thy blessings O Lord on all of our members, absent, present, living, and dead. And when one after the other we shall have fallen asleep in thy blessed womb O Jesus, may all of us in paradise find again our family united in thy Sacred Heart. Amen” I can only imagine now that you are with your brother, Paul Jr., the joys of paradise. May the peace of the Christ be with you always. AMDG

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Captain John David Benien, Served with Advisory Team 26, Headquarters, Military Assistance Command Vietnam Advisors, Military Assistance Command Vietnam, United States Army Vietnam.

DEAR CAPTAIN BENIEN,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A PERSONNEL STAFF OFFICER - GENERAL STAFF. IT IS 2017, 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.

My dad, Major George Gammon was with CPT Benien on 2/13/1969 in Darlac Province. My dad still talks about Benien. In the late 1990s we etched his name from the wall and gave it as a keepsake .

My dad is now quite sick and I would hate to lose an opportunity to learn more about his experiences .