THE WALL OF FACES

Steven is buried at Hillside Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minn. PH/GS

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you Steven Howard Nelson, for your courageous and valiant service, faithful contribution, and your most holy sacrifice given to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore Marine, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!

Again, thank you LCPL Steven Howard Nelson, for a job well done!

REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY MARINE FRIEND

Steven Howard Nelson was killed by an enemy 82mm mortar round which hit the starboard engine hatch of his Amtrac and exploded - killing him instantly and wounding about three other Marines who were sitting on top of it. We were unloading supplies on top of Hill 31 (A-1) and he was standing in the Crewchief's seat and fell to the sand when hit. One of the other Platoon members (Harry Crook) ran around the Amtrac and screamed aloud when he saw Steve because it was clear that he was dead, he had sustained a severe neck wound from the shrapnel.

Semper Fidelis Steve....