THE WALL OF FACES

Remember to save for them a place inside of you, and save one backward glance when you are leaving, for the places they can no longer go...

Dear Lt Richard Royer, Thank you for your service as a VMR Pilot. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Another Halloween is soon Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Thinking of Dick. Lost my sister recently and they were great friends.
Best memory is of Dick driving my parents 57 Chevy around Reading Pa. drag racing his friends. Great times.

I will always remember the missing man formation that flew over us in Da Nang. You were always such a great person, great sense of humor plus we awarded him the "Tree Snuffer" award for the clearing the trees throughout Viet Nam. Truly missed. Semper Fi. Ssgt. Pietrowski.

And so it was in the case of Rick Royer, Marine, aviator, friend. We flew in training together, took cross country flights stateside before deploying with VMFA-323 to Iwakuni, Japan. Thereafter we were assigned to different Squadrons, and as is so often the case, we didn't stay in touch...much more difficult in those days. We went to Vietnam from Japan and I still remember the day when I learned the news that he had flown into the water while returning from a mission. Broke my heart to lose such a good friend, so young, so committed to life and this nation; met his parents once before going overseas. And now, I look forward to the day when we shall meet again. Rick has probably pestered the Heavenly Father to let him explore the outer reaches of the Universe, and if my guess is right, he's eager to show me around. Wonderful friend!