THE WALL OF FACES

War drew us from our homeland
In the sunlit springtime of our youth.
Those who did not come back alive remain
in perpetual springtime -- forever young --
And a part of them is with us always.

Being a veteran is something that instills a life long connection with all vets. Those taken out of harms way, have a very special place in Heaven. I pray for all the fallen heroes and their families. God bless them. Stay strong, loyal, and honor these heroes. Salute all veterans who have served. Freedom comes with a heavy price tag. Prayers and God Bless the families of these Heroic soles.

We remember you John and certainly think of you often. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice. Neighborhood friends and classmates!

On November 29, 1966, a 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division patrol composed of eight enlisted men, one officer, one Navy corpsman, and four members of a Naval Gunfire Spot Team initiated a recon mission in an area two miles east of Duc Pho in Quang Ngai Province, RVN. During the first day of the patrol, over two hundred Viet Cong (VC) were sighted. Artillery fire and naval gunfire missions were alternately called on enemy positions at river crossings, building structures, and water craft. The VC were aware of the team’s presence, and early in the morning of the third day, they tracked the patrol to their night harbor and attacked it with grenades and small arms. Two members of the Naval Gunfire Spot Team, SGT Elwood D. Covey Jr. and LCPL John F. Reilly, suffered fatal fragmentation wounds in the assault; four other Marines were wounded. Supporting arms were requested, and the casualties were medivacked at 3:00 AM. The rest of the team was extracted at 3:50 AM. Air strike by fixed-wing aircraft was placed on the area after the extraction of the patrol. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Command Chronology – Da Nang (1st Recon Bn) November 1966” at ttu.edu]

Dear PFC John Reilly, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. The 52nd anniversary of the start of your tour is soon. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Yesterday was Purple Heart Day. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.