THE WALL OF FACES

The war may be forgotten but the warrior will always be remembered. All gave Some-Some gave All. Rest in peace Sky Soldier.

On behalf of all the paratroopers who served with you in the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) and all who followed, we offer our respect and remembrance of your ultimate sacrifice. May you never be forgotten and your family and friends take comfort in your valor in serving.

Sergeant Lawrence Clifford Bloom, Served with Company A (Administration), 173rd Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

I knew him in 7th grade, I think his dad was stationed at Suffolk County AFB. Another classmate, Wayne Minardi, and I figured out a couple of years ago that Cliff was probably lost in the war, but still, confirmation hurts. He was friendly, funny and open, but reserved, cool and maybe a little remote, all at the same time. A troublemaker and a class clown who never lost his self-respect or the respect of others. He seemed about a foot taller than the rest of us and about ten years older too —maybe a hundred years wiser—what some might call an "old soul". No space left for stories, but other can share.

DEAR SERGEANT BLOOM,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN AIRBORNE QUALIFIED PERSONNEL SPECIALIST. 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. IT IS HOLY WEEK, AND PASSOVER - GOD'S BLESSINGS ON YOU.