THE WALL OF FACES

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 sunlight 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.

We never forget! Semper Fi Brother

Semper Fi Brother! I was at the north bridge you the south!!

Dear Cpl Arthur McLellan, Thank you for your service as an Antitank Assaultman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Yesterday was the 75th anniversary of the Treaty that ended WWII. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

In the early morning hours of March 31, 1968, an estimated 150 North Vietnamese Army soldiers attacked two major bridges along Highway 1, seven and eight miles south of Phu Bai in Thua Thien Province, RVN. The bridges were defended by U.S. Marines and Vietnamese infantrymen. The attack began at 3:33 AM with the enemy employing rocket-propelled grenades and 82mm mortar fire. The NVA succeeded in overrunning the northern bridge and the U.S. Marine security element defending it. The enemy then destroyed the bridge with satchel charges and retreated. The NVA also took part of the Truoi River Bridge a mile to the south and blew out the center span. The bridge was defended by U.S. Marines and Vietnamese railroad security men. A reaction force of Marines from B Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines was dispatched to assist the beleaguered defenders. Fifteen Marines and one Navy corpsman were killed in the fighting and 58 were wounded. The lost Marines included PFC Richard Garcia, PFC Robert K. Horspool, PFC Gerald L. Johnson, PFC Thomas J. Kovacevich, PFC Richard F. Links, CPL Arthur C. McLellan, LCPL Charles D. Miller, PFC Kevin W. Moore, PFC William R. Neal, LCPL Erasmo Palos, PFC Walter R. Riggs, CPL Walter W. Rosolie Jr., PFC Edward T. Stone Jr., PFC Thomas P. Sweeney, and CPL James J. Tedesco; the lost Navyman was HM3 Steven R. Wolter. A reported 64 NVA were confirmed killed, although that number was considered to be higher. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Communists Blast 2 Key Viet Bridges.” Pacific Stars & Stripes, date unknown]