THE WALL OF FACES

DEAR LANCE CORPORAL BERNING,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A GRUNT. SEMPER FI. WITH EACH YEAR THAT PASSES, IT 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.

Marine Corps Recruit Depot
San Diego, CA
Third Battalion
Platoon 3030

Commenced Training: 24 February 1969
Completed Training: 22 April 1969

Platoon Commander - GSGT J. Moreno
Drill Instructor - SSGT R.C. Jarrett
Drill Instructor - SSGT R.D. Browne

Two other members of Platoon 3030 were also KIA in Viet Nam.
PFC Wilford L. Donoho - Salem, IL
PFC Roger P. Walling - Chamois, MO

Semper Fidelis, Marine!

Semper Fidelis, Marine.

Tom: I only knew you in Vietnam as we served together in the same squad, but even after all these years my memory of you is as vivid as today. When EJ and I were able to visit your family and show them how much we loved you, was our tribute to how much you mean to us. I am only sorry I lost touch with them, because I would tell them that the passing of years has not erased the memories.... I look forward to our reunion in heaven Tom... Love you man! ( the two photographs I submitted were of our Squd, with your towering from the back... What a good looking group and one of you Tom writing home )

Tom: time has not diminished the memories of the time we shared in Vietnam in the same squad, nor the pain at loosing you... Your laid back manner and easy conversations, brought normalcy to the hell we were living... Since our return, the visit to your family, did bring some comfort to me, but I lost touch with them and wish I could let them know, you are still always in my mind!
The group picture I uploaded was of our squad, with your lanky self at the back, behind me... What a good looking group we were!! This one I surprised you writing home......
I love you man and look forward to spending eternity with you!!