THE WALL OF FACES

Just a note to honor your memory and sacrifice today. I've chatted with an old friend of yours and it sounds as though the world missed out on a remarkable person. Peace to you always.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your fellow soldier Steven Howard is especially moving. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

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

DEAR SERGEANT BOLES,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN INTERROGATOR. 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 WAS JUST EASTER - GOD'S BLESSINGS ON YOU.

Fletcher was in my unit, 25th Infantry Division, stationed at Cu Chi, 25 miles from Saigon, and had the same job title as me, Interrogation, Prisoners Of War, Military Intelligence. He was my best friend in Vietnam and I was devastated when he was killed. I was asked to view his remains to confirm his ID when he was killed. He died in the field from the detonation of a booby trap while he was on a mission taking a POW, along with a platoon of men, looking for a cache of weapons. This is something often, looking for hidden weapons after interrogating a Vietcong prisoner.

Fletcher was very funny and talented individual. He was artistic and drew cartoons of different situations in our company giving comic relief to us all.

He was drafted, did not want to serve voluntarily, but came from a military family. I believe his father was a lifer and a Colonel at the time of his death. He lived in San Francisco and I lived in San Jose, so we planned on continuing our friendship after serving our tour. I think of him often but especially every year on Veterans and Memorial Day.