THE WALL OF FACES

I never met the man, but would love the family to know that I’ve had his bracelet ever since I was a little kid. Got it from a veterans booth at a Kings County fair, in Brooklyn, NY. Wore it proudly, until the amazing news that his remains were recovered and identified. Now it resides on a special shelf with a few other bracelets I inherited from my mom. He gets thought about often. Not only by those he served with, and family & friends, but also strangers like myself. And a sidenote that I’d like to share about the bracelet. A close friend of mine from Brooklyn, also had a bracelet from when he was a little kid. His was an army guy. We had never made the connection that our bracelets had the same date on them. He was visiting the Wall, and asked me if I wanted an etching of Maj. McElroy. Of course I said yes as I hadn’t gotten one on my visit when I was younger. To our amazement, his guy, Frederick Ransbottom, was inches from John’s name. We never knew they died in the same battle. We call each other every year on May 12, and toast the two of them. And everyone else lost in that battle. R.I.P.

He was my ROTC instructor at ASU. A true gentleman, he was an encouraging leader. We talked at various times about Kentucky which was my Mom’s home state.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from your Arizona State University Air Force ROTC cadets are touching and reflect their admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Dear Major John McElroy, Thank you for your service as a Navigator. I am glad you were identified in 2008. WELCOME HOME. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Time passes quickly, but our world needs help. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

As a cadet in AFROTC at Arizona State, I had Major McElroy as my instructor. His gracious spirit as an officer and gentleman encouraged me to move into advanced ROTC my junior year. He loved his native Kentucky. He was a man of integrity, Christian honor, certainly one of the finest men I have ever known.