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 sun 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.

As long as you are remembered you will never truly die....

Specialist Four George Vernon Airey Jr., Served with Company D, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

DEAR SPEC 4 AIREY,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN ARMOR RECONNAISSANCE SPECIALIST. REST IN PEACE.

Dear SP4 George Vernon Airey Jr, 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, Sir

Curt Carter

George Vernon Airey, Jr. was born on July 21, 1944 to Mr. and Mrs. George V. Airey, Sr. of Ann Arbor. George, Jr. is the son of the President of G.V. Airey Building Company. When George was ten years old in 1955, he became a pogo stick jumping champion by setting a record of 4,210 jumps without using his hands! He loved to water and snow ski, scuba dive, play guitar, and collect items such as tropical fish. He is a 1962 graduate of Ann Arbor High School, and also studied construction and building at Ferris State University and Lansing Community College prior to enlisting in the Army. Specialist 4 Airey, Jr. enlisted in the Army in 1966 and received his training at Fort Carson, Colorado as a Armored Reconnaissance Specialist. George was assigned to the First Calvary Division at Fort Carson. George started his tour in November of 1967 as an Armor Reconnaissance Specialist with D Company, First Battalion, Fifth Cavalry Regiment of the First Cavalry Division. 'On the night of 0809 May 1968, the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, was operating in western Quang Tri Province from a temporary base. At 0705 on 09 May, the Battalion came under attack by North Vietnamese Army forces - initially by mortar fire, then a full-fledged ground attack...Charlie Company was cut off from the other companies and bore the brunt of the attack. The NVA were fended off, but not without cost, and the aggressive patrolling which brought more US losses.' A total of nineteen (19) men died in this action including Specialist 4 George Vernon Airey, Jr who died of multiple fragmentation wounds. He lived 23 years, 9 months and 18 days. George Vernon Airey, Jr. is resting now in Forest Hill Cemetery in Ann Arbor. George left behind his parents and two sisters. George was awarded the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Expert Rifleman's Badge and posthumously awarded a second Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Rest in peace with the warriors.