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 Lt Robert Norton, Thank you for your service as a VMO Pilot. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On December 3, 1968, pilot 1LT Robert L. Norton and aerial observer 1LT Robert A. Carney were conducting Visual Reconnaissance/Tactical Air Coordination (Airborne) in an OV-10 Bronco light attack and observation aircraft from Marine Observation Squadron 2 (VMO-2) out of Marble Mountain Air Facility (MMAF) near Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, RVN. After failing to return back to base, another OV-10 was launched to search for Norton and Carney’s plane. Operations personnel learned through the AO net that they had been working for a Marine Regiment at Hill 55. When contacted, Hill 55 said that the recon aircraft had completed its mission with them and mentioned going into Happy Valley, a major Viet Cong/North Vietnamese Army base camp, storage area, and supply infiltration route. At that time, they would have gone there in clouds that were at about the 2000-foot level and lifting. The search OV-10 got this information and immediately went in to the valley to look for the missing plane. After about 30 minutes of searching, smoke was seen rising out of the trees on the north slope of the valley at about the 2800-foot level, the same level as the bottom of the clouds. As the clouds continued to lift, the search plane was able to see what appeared to be a crash site. The trees in the area showed almost no damage and it appeared that the plane had gone in straight down. A recon team later rappelled in and were able to identify Norton’s aircraft. It had gone in at a 90-degree dive and little was left. Recovery was made later after the crash site had cooled. [Taken from popasmoke.com]

Semper Fi, Lt.

Dear 1LT Robert Lyon Norton, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter