THE WALL OF FACES

My father died wearing his bracelet.

I posted this five years ago. It's now been at least 20 years and I have never seen my son without the bracelet: This Memorial Day has been very special to me......thinking of all the soldiers that fought for our freedom. I began to wonder if I paid them enough respect. I came home from spending the day with my grandson and found this on my son's FB wall. I guess Danny answered my question. I've always been proud of him, but am so pleased of the man he has become.

Today is Memorial Day, and I found myself thinking a lot about someone in particular... someone who I never had the privilege to meet or know, but whose name I've carried on a POW/MIA bracelet every day for the better part of the last 15 years.
In March of 1968, James Ray and his unit were clearing a road in Vietnam when they were ambushed by the VietCong. An explosion injured him, but he continued to fight and resist until he ran out of bullets. He was then taken prisoner and continued to resist his captors. Despite being ill with malaria, he made several escape attempts, once going so far as to beat one of his captors with the chains he had been bound in. After this point, stories conflict with each other. Regardless, no one saw him die and his body was never found.
They gave him the Purple Heart, Bronze and Silver stars, a name on a wall, and an empty grave in Arlington back in 2007.
To Staff Sergeant Ray, and everyone else whose name is on that wall, to the men and women who are STILL being added to the wall, to the men and women who are STILL dying because of what happened in Vietnam and in every War, conflict, engagement, and action before and since: you have my everlasting gratitude... You are not forgotten. To my mom: thank you for teaching me that these things are important.

SSG James M. Ray, I am saddened to know that you are still MIA after 51 years. I hope and pray that you and all your Vietnam brothers are returned home soon. Thank you, Brave Soldier, for your service and your sacrifice for our country, for our freedoms. Hooaah!

Was with you on your 70th birthday Nov 10....always in our hearts...
Until you all come home!!!!

I to have worn your bracelet for many years. I have always wanted to know about you. Thank you so much for your service. Rest in peace dear James.