THE WALL OF FACES

Steven was my cousin, I remember attending his funeral. Thank you for giving your everything you're still missed.

CPL Stephen J. Praszynski served with E Company, U.S. Marine Corps Security Guard Battalion, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. Praszynski was assigned State Department security duty at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, RVN. Embassy Security Guards protected State Department personnel and prevented the compromise of national security information and equipment at the embassy facility. When not on duty, Praszynski was billeted with the other embassy guards in Marine House, an eight-story hotel at #67 Tran Quy Cap across the street from South Vietnam’s presidential palace. The billets maintained a full restaurant on the ground floor and a complete bar on the top floor. Each Marine had the luxury of their own room with a private bath. On November 8, 1969, Praszynski reportedly died in his sleep at Marine House. Details regarding the death were sparse. A casualty report released two weeks later stated “Died 8Nov69 in Saigon Vietnam due to asphyxiation.” This was amended the following month to a more cryptic “Died 8Nov69.” Asphyxiation while sleeping is caused by a blocked airway, generally due to aspiration, when the contents of the stomach are inhaled into the airway. In healthy young men, it may occur when the sedating effects of alcohol or drug use impair cough and gag reflexes, leading to aspiration. Praszynski was 20 years old. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and calvetconnect.blog]

Image courtesy of Redbird Research LLC, Saint Charles, MO.

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

Dear Cpl Sephen Praszynski, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Yesterday was Flag Day. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.