THE WALL OF FACES

I met Frank on the train going from Philadelphia, Pa. to the Induction Center in South Carolina in 1966 and was with him during basic training in Fort Riley, Ka, in the 2nd Bn, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. After basic, he was assigned to one of the Line Companies during AIT. This, of course, meant that he would be out doing all the actual fighting once we arrived in Nam, a fact that we knew of right after arriving at Fort Riley. Whenever I would run into him in the field, he always seemed to be extremely dirty, covered with more dirt and dust than anyone else around him. I don't know why this was, but it was something I noticed every time I saw him. Apparently he was really getting into all this Army stuff.

After being in Nam for a few months, he was transferred to another unit. I would write to him every once in awhile and he would answer when he had time. I then got word that he had been killed on May 9, 1967.

A few weeks later, I got back one of the letters I had written to him a few weeks earlier. On the envelope was stamped, in red letters, K I A (Killed In Action). My platoon Sgt. saw it and asked if he could have it as a souvenir. I gave it to him. (In 1998, I wrote to the Sarge to see if he still had it. At first he didn't even remember the incident, but then said all he must have been doing was being the good sergeant and taking something away from me that may have been too much of a sad remembrance. He said he most likely threw it out over there.)

About 2 weeks later or so, I received my copy of the Philadelphia Bulletin, a newspaper to which I subscribed. There on the front page was Frank's picture, with an open letter he had written to the President saying although there was a lot of dissension going on at home, he felt it was his duty as an American to be over in Nam and fighting for his country.

Frank was a very kind and gentle guy who will always be remembered in my thoughts and prayers.

Jim Radetzky
Headquarters Co.
2nd Bn, 47th Inf, 9th Inf Div.

Frank was assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse) at the time of his death. 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia are attempting to locate relatives of all of our Troopers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. Please contact us at: [email protected] or through our website: http://www.11thcavnam.com

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, 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.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

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 sun 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.

Mary Frye – 1932

I dont know this man. I am not a friend of his family. I never served with his unit, or in his platoon. I am simply a man who recognized that some people have paid a costly sacrifice to insure that I am free. I volunteered to drive down to Washington D.C. to represent my Police Department for the 20th anniversary of the The Wall. For the anniversary, all 58,229 names were read aloud, taking over 65 hours over a 4 day period. On Friday 8 November 2002 at 1050 hours, I was honored by being afforded the privilege of reading his name. It was unseasonably cold that day. The grass was wet from that mornings dew. The crowd stood silent. I paused, just for a moment, after reading his name. I can only pray that the good Lord has eased his friends and familys pain. And, I pray that his soul rests in heaven knowing that his efforts have not gone unnoticed, and that some of us remember that we have grown up in a world whos freedom was secured by his efforts. Piece be with you, and, thank you.