THE WALL OF FACES

You are remembered by my father, he knew you in Vietnam. When I took my 10 year old to the memorial, we found your name and said a prayer.

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.

As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

Captain Michael John Blanscet was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism and extraordinary achievement while engaged in aerial flight. He served as a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander and was assigned to E BTRY, 82ND ARTILLERY, 1ST CAV DIV.
See https://army.togetherweserved.com/a

DEAR CAPTAIN BLANSCET,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A ROTARY WING AVIATION UNIT COMMANDER - HELICOPTER PILOT WITH THE 82ND ARTILLERY REGIMENT, 1ST CAVALRY. A FRIEND'S BROTHER WAS ALSO 1ST CAV, KILLED IN PHUOC LONG. SAY HI TO MIKE. IT HAS BEEN FAR TOO LONG FOR ALL OF YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE. MANY OF US HAVE BEGUN OUR JOURNEY TO EASTER. AND YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS.

I remember meeting Mike from 1968 after he had completed Artillery OCS , at Ft. Sill, OK. He was the squad leader of Pershing Missile Instructors, most of whom were drafted college graduates. The Army back then was taking highly qualified High School graduates as OCS candidates. All of us became close friends, even going to Lawton most evenings for a drink or ten. Above all, we took him under our wings . Eventually, he got tired of babysitting our group and wanted a job with promotion potential. That's when he was sent to Helicopter Pilot School. We missed a dear friend when he left. I soon returned to civilian life in Kansas City and some time in the Summer of 1970, I noted a large section of the KC Star newspaper was a picture of Mike's wife receiving a medal at his funeral. I was shocked to hear of his passing and will forever remember him.