THE WALL OF FACES

Dear PFC Raymond Rivera, Thank you for your service as a Field Artillery Cannoneer. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. The 20th anniversary of 9/11 is this weekend. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Fire Support Base Cunningham was a U.S. Marine Corps firebase southwest of Dong Ha in central Vietnam. The base was constructed overlooking the Da Krong Valley, twenty-three miles southeast of Vandegrift Combat Base, and a half mile north of Route 922. It was named after Alfred A. Cunningham, the first Marine Corps aviator. Cunningham was established on January 25, 1969, by the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines in support of Operation Dewey Canyon, an operation to sweep the North Vietnamese Army–dominated A Shau and Song Da Krong Valleys. Over the next five days, the Regiment command post and five artillery batteries from 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines moved to Cunningham. On February 2nd, the North Vietnamese demonstrated their displeasure for the base by hitting it with 30-40 rounds of 122mm artillery fire. Four Marines were killed in the barrage. They included PFC Raymond N. Rivera, CPL Joseph Romero, PFC Dennis W. Schonberg, and PFC Dale W. Schwefel. Beginning March 10th, the Marine units started withdrawing back to Vandegrift, and by March 18th, Cunningham was closed. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and wikipedia.org]

Private First Class Raymond Nito Rivera, Served with the 1st 155mm Howitzer Battery (PROV), 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Artillery Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Dear PFC Raymond Nito Rivera, 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

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall was in Wharton County July 11-15, 2012 and Raymond Rivera was one of 22 Honorees

He is one of 22 Wharton County Honorees