THE WALL OF FACES

A life remembered
After 4 decades, fallen Marine gets respect he deserves

By Amber Ellis
The Cincinnati Enquirer
19 May 2008

It was the proper good-bye they had waited nearly four decades to give Eddie Van Oliver Jr.

The Marine was killed in Vietnam in 1969 and brought back home and buried in an unmarked grave - unbefitting, family and friends said, for a soldier who gave his life in the line of duty and received two Purple Hearts.

His mother had always held out hope that her son's resting place in the corner of Spring Grove Cemetery would some day carry more than a number. On Sunday, her wishes became reality when a headstone was unveiled to a crowd of a few hundred well-wishers.

"I never thought it would grow into this, but I think Eddie was worth it," said Duke Heller, a Marine who carried Eddie's body out of the jungle and fought to have him honored when he returned to Ohio. "I damn sure wasn't going to forget him, and I want to make sure no one else does either."

The service, complete with Patriot Guard Riders, a presentation of the flag and bag pipe rendition of "Amazing Grace," was the result of years of work by Heller. He contacted Jeff Foran, an Air Force veteran and commander of VFW Post 2548, and Gwen Mooney, director of the funeral home, to put his plan in motion. They tracked down federal benefits for a headstone and organized Sunday's service.

"This has been a long time coming, and it's long overdue. I think it shows that what he did over there was worth it, that people do appreciate the life we lost," said Eddie's brother, Tommy Oliver, before the ceremony.

"But at the same time, it's not just my brother's story. There are thousands of other families who need (the closure) we got today."

People came from near and far. Many donned Marine gear, showing respect for a brother they'd never met. Some wept as if they'd fought beside him. Others came because they were touched by the story of a Marine who had somehow been overlooked.

For Jim Waller, coming to the ceremony was part of the Marine code he'd learned when he served from 1956 to 1960. Never leave another Marine behind, he said.

"He was left behind for 39 years, and it's about time we come back and bring him home the way it should have been done," Waller said. "This man deserves ever honor he gets. It's just a shame it wasn't done sooner."

Donna Jenkins was a toddler when her older brother, Eddie, died in 1969. She remembers small details about him, but most of her memories come from other people's recollections. She visits his grave to reconnect with the brother that was "taken away from her too soon."

"My heart hurt every time I went to the gravesite and didn't see his name. I'm just happy it'll be different next time. He'll have his own space," said Jenkins, who lives in the Kinney Avenue home where she and her siblings grew up.

The tearful event was the end of a long journey for Heller and Eddie's family. They cried, in part, because it took so long. But most of their tears were of relief and happiness that they finally saw "Eddie get the respect he deserved."

And his name will appear with all the others who died in service. He'll be a "part of history," Heller said.

"A warrior is never forgotten until no one remembers his name," said retired Marine Don Myers during the service. "With this marker, Eddie will never be forgotten."

As a fellow Buckeye, I say "THANK YOU"

As a Veteran, I say "JOB WELL DONE, MARINE"

As an American, "YOUR DEATH WAS NOT IN VAIN"

And as a Believer, "YOUR SPIRIT IS ALIVE--AND STRONG"

Again, thank you for your courageous and valiant service, faithful contribution, and most holy sacrifice, given to this great country of ours!

REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY MARINE FRIEND