THE WALL OF FACES

Private First Class Patrick John Bohan, Served with the Pathfinder Platoon. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Aviation Battalion, 101st Aviation Group, 101st Airborne Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Pat,
Not a year goes by without thinking of you. I was at Fort Leonard Wood when I got there call. Nothing can describe the feeling. I remember it as though it was yesterday. When I visited that wall of granite a few years back and found your name I felt that numb feeling that leaves you almost breathless. Still cannot believe you were taken at such a young age. We had so much fun at Spalding. I would have been proud to serve by your side, and remember this. God will reunite all of us one day and I will get the chance to shake your hand, give you a hug and say thank you for your ultimate sacrifice.

DEAR PFC BOHAN,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN AIRBORNE/PATHFINDER QUALIFIED INFANTRYMAN. YOU WERE BORN ON MY HUSBAND MICHAEL'S BIRTHDAY. SAY HI TO HIM IN HEAVEN. 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. YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS. IT IS EASTER WEEK, AND PASSOVER - GOD'S BLESSINGS ON YOU.

45 years ago today we heard the hews that Pat was killed in action in Vietnam. I know he died on the 10th - but this is the anniversary that is the hardest. It was also a Sunday. I am sure many heard the news while sitting in Mass that Sunday morning. But, for me, the phone rang and the tone of my Mother's voice when she answered sent a sad message through the house. I remember driving to Pat's Mom and Dad's house on Republic Avenue and just numbly moving through the reminder of that day as did so many friends and relatives. Tim, I just at this moment found this sight and it is a comfort to know you are thinking of him today, too. Please know that I still cry on these days while reminding myself to be happy for just knowing him and your family.
Pat WAS cool - and fun and sometimes simply crazy! He was also very kind to everyone and very smart... although he was not too vigilant about homework. Ha. He also had a very cool little brother!
My son's name is Michael Patrick - and he knows all about Pat. Please know that I have kept his memory alive in my family.
It was a great comfort to find your message this evening to accompany me in my evening of remembrance.
He loved being a soldier and was very proud to serve his country.

I was at the Ripcord Association Reunion in Myrtle Beach Oct 8, 2014 to Oct 12, 2014. I had just learned about it earlier this year. I have long wanted to honor my brother by visiting the place where he gave up his life. I asked my 34 year old son, Louis if he would like to go, so we started doing the Ripcord research. I am still amazed and humbled by what I have learned.

My brother Pat was part of one of the most significant events of the Vietnam War, the Battles For Ripcord. It had been largely covered up so effectively that most people still do not know. It was huge! The whole country would know ... should know, except that it was covered up, hidden from the media and the American people who were already overwhelmed by casualties in a war they were no longer willing to support.

It has been hard to forgive myself … for not knowing sooner. But, there were over 20 of us at the Ripcord Reunion who were there for the first time. We were awarded the Ripcord Combat Service coin. I am a member of the Ripcord Association.

Accepting that I am part of this, emboldens me to repeat the truth at every opportunity. It is more than closure. It completes my question: "How can I honor my brother's life?" He gave all, but left us with the question, "What can I do in equal measure with the life I continue to live?"

I will live differently. I am planning to go to the next reunion in Branson, Missouri next October. I have learned that Pat was not the only Pathfinder to die on Ripcord, and that the Pathfinders were courageous during the Siege of Ripcord. I have a family in the many who served with him, and want to share their memories with me.

I want to talk about Pat. He was my idol. I was just 15 when he was 19. He was so cool! He took the Homecoming Queen to Homecoming in High School when he was a senior; I was a freshman. He played sports, was a leader with his classmates. All the seniors talked to me. Pretty special for a freshman. He taught me how to handle girls. Probably more than I should know at that age.

Now, I have my "Ripcord Airborne, Screaming Eagle, 1970" shirts and hats and pens, and pins, and bumper sticker …
And most special, the Ripcord Combat Service coin presented by Maj Gen Ben Harrison.

Pat's story has always been important for me, and commanded respect whenever I was moved to share it. But, I often stopped, because the pain is still there … like it was not that long ago. But, it feels good to be talking about it again, and again.