THE WALL OF FACES

Ronny was a senior at Camden Catholic when I was a freshman. My late Brother, Tim was classmates with Ronny. Naturally, as a geeky freshman I was awed by many of the seniors. In addition, I got input from Tim about his classmates and who was "really cool" and who wasn't necessarily so. Tim had nothing but praise for Ronny.
As the new school was opened, the administration was experimenting with a number of ideas. One of them was the ill-fated "activity time" between 3:00 & 3:30. Those who didn't "join" a club or group were herded into classrooms to wait out the 30 minutes. I happened to be sitting next to Ronny for some of those sessions. He was engaging and he treating me with a warmth uncommon in everyday interaction between seniors and freshmen. That was 62 years ago but, he so impressed me that I have never forgotten his warmth and his smile.
I was a senior when it was announced at the end of the day, that we had lost Ronny in Vietnam. I was and I am still deeply saddened.

By the way, I recall that he was voted "mostly likely to succeed" in his class. He succeeded in unimaginable ways.

There is a place
Not far from here
Where spirits walk
And heroes live
And honor still resides.

It is a wall
With names inscribed
Of those who served
When they were asked...
The brothers of my youth.

I go there still
To walk and think
About my life,
And what I've done since
And things that might have been.

There is a debt
I can't repay
Too many lives were spent.
And one man's life cannot suffice
To make their deaths worthwhile.

But there is hope
In the memory
Of those we leave behind
Who know the price that freedom brings
Who can carry on in kind.

I send you now
To touch a name
So the vision can be passed
Remember there is honor still
It is for you to see it lasts.

They are not dead
And have a wish
As all old soldiers do
The reflection you see before you now
Is their wish to live in you.

Dear Sp4 Ronald Nickerson, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Your 77th birthday just passed, happy birthday. 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.

Ronald Nickerson,
I learned of your name just a day ago. I do believe I have the correct person based on the information I have read about you. My father was also in Vietnam with you in the 1st Infantry Division, "The Big Red One". My father had told me a brief fact about one day that he was to go on a patrol in the Jungle. Just before the patrol he was pulled and assigned a different duty. Another man took his place on that patrol and was killed. That man was you. We had another conversation about Vietnam yesterday and he repeated the story but this time and for the first time he said your name with emphasis, "Ronald Nickerson". A name I'm sure he will never forget along with what happened that day. He told me how you and at least one other were killed by a mine. Ironically your middle name is his first name, William Cornelius. I named my son William as well. Was it just a matter of chance he didn't go on the patrol that day or a predestined series of events that someday will resolve with a positive answer to the question...why? I'm sure my dad has thought about this as I am now, thankful he did not lose his life in Vietnam and able to bring me in to the world and have a son of my own. Are we worthy of this gift? Have we already answered the question and just don't know it? After putting a name and face to you, I feel like I need to do something for you but I don't know what. Rest in Peace Ronald, you are not forgotten.

We still miss you everyday. Memories are always there of our time with you.