THE WALL OF FACES

I was a new A-4 pilot on my way to the Gulf of Tonkin in 1967 when CAG Dutch Netherland addressed the pilots of Airwing Five. "I know a lot of you are going into combat for the first time and may have some reservations about it, but if you sign on as coop-scraper, sooner or later you're going to have to scrape some coops." He died scraping coops with us.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. I am heartened you returned home after the passage of so many years though I wish it had been under very different circumstances. May you rest in eternal peace.

I wore the bracelet for Capt Roger Netherland until it broke. I keep it with my mementos from my dad’s service in WWII. I loved that Other veterans acknowledged it when they saw it on me wrist. I will never forget!

Dear Cap. Roger Netherland, Thank you for your service as an Unrestricted Line Officer - Pilot on the USS HANCOCK. I am glad you were identified in 2000. Welcome home. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It’s a New Year, but not necessarily better. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.