THE WALL OF FACES

Photo courtesy of TogetherWeServed.com

I remember the day you died, Gary. It would be many years later before I fully understood how great the loss would be.BRBRYou've been gone so long. You missed men walking on the moon, computers and the Internet, the fall of the Soviet Union, Indiana Jones, Forrest Gump, Y2K, SUVs, and rap music. You didn't sit in a gas line in '73, experience 911,or watch satellite tv. The Houston Oilers are now the Tennessee Titans. Spring break is now in Cancun. We all own paper shredders because of something called ID theft.BRBRWould there have been a red '93 Mustang convertible in your driveway? Or a dark blue Park Avenue. A college degree? Kids to send through school. A job at the bank, or the factory, or the insurance agency? Vacation trips to Yellowstone. Or maybe there was a dusty field waiting for you to cultivate.BRBRLanguage has thousands, perhaps millions, of words to express our every thought. Where are the words to express the greatest loss of all? How can words tell of lost potential? How can they tell of what might have been?BRBRI often wonder if you still have family and if they are wondering if anyone else still remembers. Are there aunts and uncles, or maybe even a mom or dad? Classmates or friends who knew you then but can never know you as you would be now.BRBRI wonder too if somewhere in Hays, Kansas there is a memorial with your name on it. Something solid and permanent that will out last me, your family, your friends, and even memories. If there isn't, there should be.BRBRSo much time has passed and yet the clock never moves. Everything is frozen to that reference point that stands rigid against joy and fear, love and hate, and a past with no future.BRBRI remember, George. I remember.

Gary is buried at Mt Allen Cemetery in Hays, Kansas.

You have been gone so long, but you are always with me. I think about your last days at home, with the family and it brings me peace.

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you Gary Lee Binder, for your courageous and valiant service, faithful contribution, and most holy sacrifice, given to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!

Again, thank you Sailor, for a job well done!

FAIR WINDS, AND ETERNAL PEACE MY FRIEND