THE WALL OF FACES

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

Vern is buried at Westwood Hills Memorial Park in Placerville, CA. BSM PH

I was only 7 when Vern and I said goodbye the night before he left for bootcamp, but my memories are strong. He would lift me up to the cookie jar on top of the fridge effortlessly and smile a sideways smile, saying now don't tell grandma you're eating sweets. Always kind, gentle and genuine. Even though he has been gone for many years he still influences my life and my choices.

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

met vern in 8th grade tangled once! gained respect for him real quick! became good friends! from football to auto shop. he loved sports, and on to cars his favorate was the 55 chevy! we roomed togeather in San bruno,just before we both got drafted! worked togeather at san bruno auto center, an auto body shop!vern took to painting! was real good at it,as with most everything he took an interest in! i feel richer for have knowing him as a friend, and still think of him often! lots of memories i'll share later