THE WALL OF FACES

There is a place
Not far from here
Where spirits walk
And heroes live
And honor still resides.

It is a wall
With names inscribed
Of those who served
When they were asked...
The brothers of my youth.

I go there still
To walk and think
About my life,
And what I've done since
And things that might have been.

There is a debt
I can't repay
Too many lives were spent.
And one man's life cannot suffice
To make their deaths worthwhile.

But there is hope
In the memory
Of those we leave behind
Who know the price that freedom brings
Who can carry on in kind.

I send you now
To touch a name
So the vision can be passed
Remember there is honor still
It is for you to see it lasts.

They are not dead
And have a wish
As all old soldiers do
The reflection you see before you now
Is their wish to live in you.

SP4 Steven L. Peters was a Tactical Wire Operations Specialist serving with Headquarters & Headquarters Battery (HHB), 2nd Battalion (Airmobile), 11th Artillery, 101st Airborne Division. Peters was responsible for maintaining line communications to keep the various Battalion artillery units connected. During the first quarter of 1970, the 2nd Battalion (Airmobile), 11th Artillery with its 155mm field guns provided general support to the division. The battalion delivered close and continuous fire support to combat maneuver units operating within Thua Thien Province, RVN, while they conducted extensive patrol and night ambush operations in coordination with Government of Vietnam forces. On March 9, 1970, Peters was in the barracks area of Camp Eagle, located four miles southeast of Hue, when he was injured in a weapons discharge incident. Reportedly, Peters was playing “Russian roulette” with a .38 caliber pistol when he put the weapon to his head and pulled the trigger, critically wounding himself. He was taken to the 326th Medical Battalion dispensary where he was treated before being flown to the Navy hospital ship USS Repose (AH-16). Peters was placed on the Very Seriously Injured (VSI) list; he expired the following morning. Peters was twenty-two years old. His body was transported to the U.S. Army Mortuary at Da Nang where Graves Registration personnel prepared the remains for shipment to Travis Air Force Base in California before its return to Peters’ family in Oregon. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Dear Sp4 Steven Peters, Thank you for your service as a Tactical Wire Operations Specialist. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. The 46th anniversary of the fall of Saigon is tomorrow. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Klamath Falls OR...Born Dec. 12, 1947, in Klamath Falls, Steven Peters graduated from Henley High school in 1966 and attended Oregon Technical Institute before entering the Army. He served with the 101st Airborne Division, the Screaming Eagles.

Peters was 22 at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife, Georjan, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Peters, a brother, and four sisters.

Dear SP4 Steven Lloyd Peters, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter