THE WALL OF FACES

My name is Gary De La Fuente from the Los Angeles area. I was named after my uncle Gary Billhimer who married my aunty Emma who is my father's younger sister. So the story goes, my pregnant mother and father along with my uncle Ray, aunty Mickey, uncle Lanny and aunty Rita were all in the same car on their way to my uncle Gary's funeral. My mother then randomly said, "I'm going to name my son, Gary." She said everyone in the car laughed at her. Another story my aunty Emma told me about 10 years ago was that she had asked my mom to be my Godmother. Although I love my Godmother Pinky, I feel my aunty Emma would've been an appropriate choice considering. I asked my mother about this and she said my aunty Emma would've been my Godmother but she had already promised her sister Pinky. I'm standing at the wall today just looking at my uncle Gary's name. I'm rubbing my finger across it back and forth and feel a slight connection with him. I'm so proud of him. So proud to be named after him. A man who gave his life for our country. RIP Uncle Gary.

My name is Gary De La Fuente from the Los Angeles area. I was named after my uncle Gary Billhimer who married my Aunty Emma who is my father's younger sister. So the story goes, my pregnant mother and father along with my uncle Ray, aunty Mickey, uncle Lanny and aunty Rita were all in the same car on their way to my uncle Gary's funeral. My mother then randomly said, "I'm going to name my son, Gary." She said everyone in the car laughed at her. Another story my Aunty Emma told me about 10 years ago was that she had asked my mom to be my Godmother. Although I love my Godmother Pinky, I feel my aunty Emma would've been an appropriate choice considering. I asked my mother about this and she said my aunty Emma would've been but she had already promised her sister Pinky. I'm standing at the wall today just looking at his name. I'm rubbing my finger across his name back and forth and feel a slight connection with him. I'm so proud of him. So proud to be named after him. A man who gave his life for our country. RIP Uncle Gary.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Bijan Ardalan is especially moving. May you rest in eternal peace.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

Grew up together, played a lot of baseball together.