THE WALL OF FACES

Dear SSgt Mercedes Salinas, Thank you for your service with the 309th Air Commando Squadron. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Veterans’ Day was yesterday. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On December 11, 1965, a C-123B Provider (#56-4376) from the 309th Air Commando Squadron, 315th Air Commando Group, 13th Air Force, was lost while flying from Pleiku Air Base to Tuy Hoa Air Base. Involved in a Mule Train combat cargo mission originating out of Tan Son Nhut Air Base where the 309th was stationed at the time, the C-123B contacted trees on a ridge line and entered a spin, crashing 1000 feet below. The ridge line had an elevation of about 4000 feet and was probably barely visible with low ceilings between 50 and 1000 feet and rain showers. The aircraft crashed 32 km (20 miles) west of Tuy Hoa. All crew and passengers, 85 total, were killed. The U.S. crew of four, without a navigator, included pilot MAJ Robert M. Horsky, co-pilot CAPT George P. McKnight, SSGT Mercedes P. Salinas, and SSGT Donald D. Stewart. Also lost were 81 South Vietnamese paratroopers. The aircraft was found by ARVN soldiers. The crew's remains were repatriated and interred in Arlington National Cemetery in 1974. [Taken from togetherweserved.com]

Dear SSGT Mercedes Perez Salinas, 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

Mercedes is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Dear Mercedes,
Thank you for your service to our great country. It is because of sacrifices made by warriors like you that our country enjoys the freedom that you made the ultimate sacrifice for. Today is a glorious day for our country. This very hour of January 20, 2009,a black American is being sworn in as our 44th President. History is being made and you had a part in it. God Bless you and RIP Mercedes