THE WALL OF FACES

My Dear Uncle AKA Jimmy, His little brother passed away this year as well and was my Father. It pleases me to know that they are reunited, my dad lived with a broken heart about his brother ever since he lost him. His little brother Robert Wayne Pearson Still cried almost 40 years after his loss, whenever his name was mentioned.I am so greatful for the sacrifices that my Uncle jimmy made for us, and what an absolute shame that he was due home only 1 month from the day his life was taken in Vietnam. As one of his few survivng family members I bittersweetly read his letters to home from Vietnam, some written to my dad his little brother, some to his mother and many to his fiance'. His letters always had a hint of optimism, which I know runs in the family. Uncle, you will never be forgotten, I visit your grave often and tell anyone I can about how proud I am that you were my uncle. You will always be remembered. We love you.

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

Norman is buried at Wicomico Memorial Park,Salisbury,MD.

As one of the 1046 Marylanders who made the ultimate sacrifice we are honored to post your photograph. Operation Remember will continue until we have recovered the photos of all our fallen brothers from the State of Maryland.

Visit www.vva451.org and click on the Operation Remember banner for more details about this project of remembrance.

Jim Gerity
Chairperson
Operation Remember
Vietnam Veterans of America
Baltimore, Chapter 451
www.vva451.org