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 Cap. Roland Obenland, Thank you for your service as a Tactical Aircraft Pilot. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Presidents’, and Valentine’s Days are soon. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

As an addendum to the entry on 9 June 2008 by Capt. Obenland's USNA 1959 classmate on this website, additional information about Captain Roland Robert Obenland, USNA Class of 1959, USAF, from the Alumni Association, U.S. Naval Academy is at this link on the USNA Virtual Memorial Hall website:

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ROLAND_R._OBENLAND,_CAPT,_USAF

Remembered on what would've been his 85th birthday - 10 October 2020.

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor Roland.

CAPT Roland R. Obenland was a U.S. Air Force pilot serving with 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force. In the wake of the Tet Offensive, attacks on U.S. facilities continued, and pilots were often targeted against enemy forces threatening their own bases. Such was the case on May 18, 1968, when CAPT Obenland’s F-100D (#55-3548) was tasked with a close air support mission only six miles from his home base at Bien Hoa. While making a napalm drop, his jet received automatic weapons fire and crashed before he could eject. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and the book “F-100 Super Sabre Units of the Vietnam War” by Peter E. Davies and David Menard]