THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Dear SSgt Terry Reams, Thank you for your service with the 56th Special Operations Wing. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. The 57th anniversary of Gulf of Tonkin Incident is soon. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

There are three accounts for this incident: First account - On August 13, 1970, Skycap 36, a CH-3E helicopter (#63-09681) from the 21st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom RAFB, Thailand, was flying between Nakhon Phanom and Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base when it was hit by a 12.7mm round which blew up the hydraulic accumulators and knocked out both engines causing the aircraft to crash. Four of the crewmen were killed. They included pilot CAPT Alan B. Cheeseman, co-pilot CAPT George D. Henry Jr., and flight engineers SGT William L. Ripley and SSGT Terry D. Reams. [From wikipedia.org and vhpa.org] Second account – The aircraft was on an extraction mission in Laos in which it was damaged due to heavy enemy fire, and on returning back to base, the aircraft suddenly turned upside down and burst into flames and crashed. (Info by Jim Williams, 361st AHC, and confirmed by Mike Taylor) Third account – The mission was not was not Prairie Fire related (a SOG patrol into Laos). The HH3 was on a training flight inside Thailand. The crew and AC were daily SOG assets. On this mission, CAPT Cheeseman, an experienced Prairie Fire pilot, was acting as instructional pilot for a couple of new pilots. Apparently, they were shot down north of Ubon RTAFB by a 12.7mm, 14.5mm or .50 cal, in Thailand. The AC did land upside down, and as I recall there was one USAF pilot (the student I believe) who escaped through the canopy hatch. [2nd and 3rd accounts taken from macvsog.cc]

Dear SSGT Terry D Reams, 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

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