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.

Dear PFC Arthur McNally, Thank you for your service as an Airborne Qualified Field Artillery Basic. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Today is Labor Day. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

So proud of you and all you did.so glad to be a part of your second family. Been through a lots of things together. Broke my heart to lose you.thank you for your service, you will always be my big brother.

Private First Class Arthur Gerald McNally, Served with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 320th Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Arthur is my Uncle. I was 9 years old when he lost his life for his country. He was 23 years old – taken way too young. Just before he shipped out to Viet Nam he came to my third grade class to speak. This is my most vivid memory of him. We walked to my school hand in hand. He was dressed in his dress uniform. I was very proud of him and I sensed he was much honored to speak to my class. He was a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division (The Screaming Eagles). He liked being a paratrooper. He liked the army. He was going to make it his career. He had a rough childhood and I think the army gave him purpose and pride. I remember he was shy that day, timid to speak in front of my class. As I look back now on that day – he was just a kid himself – with lots of life yet to experience.
Stories I heard from my Mom and Aunt – he was quite a character. He was a jokester of sorts and liked to make people laugh.
I remember the day my Mom got word that he had been killed. I was in school and she came to take me out of school. I could see she had been crying and couldn’t imagine why she was so upset. I remember being scared. I don’t think I grasped the situation being young – but it certainly impacted my future. He would no longer be there as our beloved family member – he had so much life and love yet to experience. And we as a family had lost the time with him to learn and love and laugh and experience life with him.
To all the men and women who have served our country – Thank you for our freedom