THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. I am heartened you returned home though I wish it had been under very different circumstances. May you rest in eternal peace.

Dear Maj. David Richsteig, Thank you for your service as a Field Artillery Officer. Glad you were repatriated in 1975. Welcome Home. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. The 20th anniversary of 9/11 is soon, and still very sad. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

I never knew you, David. But, in 1971, I was a kindergarten teacher at Forest Elementary School in Salt Lake City. Your son, Eric, was in my class. Teachers are not supposed to have favorites, but Eric clearly warmed my heart. He was so smiley and sweet, and always interesting. He always had a story to tell. And, of course, he also talked about his dad... As he would say, my Daddy is missing in VietNam. But, he is a good soldier, and I know they will find him. He sorely missed his dad. Eric also had a pet guinea pig at home, which he talked about all the time. At the end of the school year, the guinea pig gave birth, and Eric gave me one for the classroom. I named him Chatham, after a town on Cape Cod where I worked summers. Little did we know that Chatham was a girl, and had been impregnated by her father. By mid-summer little Orleans was sharing the cage... Eric has stayed in my memory for all these years. I taught in SLC for 4 years, then moved to Michigan where we still live today. In cleaning out boxes, today I came across the class photo for that year... So, I looked to see if they ever found you. Sadly, yes. Eric, I hope you have lived a good life!!! I am planning to cut out your picture, and hope to someday place it on the Vietnam Wall next to your dad's name.

Love you Dave

Dear Major David John Richtsteig, 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