THE WALL OF FACES

Never forget.

HOOAH

On the remembrance of your 77th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

I grew up in Restful Lake. My father grew up right next to you. He always talked about you and your family. I can not begin to thank you for your sacrificed for our Nation. Your legacy and character was an integral part of growing up. I have since retired from the military and your name is always in my mind. May you come home and rest in the soil of your family and friends... God Bless you and the many others.

SSGT Lee D. Scurlock Jr. was the radio operator for a MACV-SOG reconnaissance team of C & C Detachment which was inserted into Laos on December 21, 1967. The mission went smoothly until the second day when the team split up to investigate a hut. Enemy contact was made by both groups and an immediate extraction was made. One element of the team was extracted with no problems. However, the remainder of the team was forced to use rope ladders. The helicopter attempting the extraction of the second element was from the 199th Aviation Company and went by call sign "Gator 376." SSGT Scurlock made one attempt to climb the ladder but lost his grip. He jettisoned the radio and his rucksack and again attempted to climb the ladder. During the second attempt, the helicopter was taking fire and the aircraft commander had cleared the area with the team member still on the ladder. The men inside the helicopter were trying their best to help Scurlock into the helicopter, but when he almost reached the helicopter skid, two shots were heard. His facial expression changed and he fell from the ladder. The helicopter was at this time flying at an altitude of 50-75 feet above the ground. The helicopter returned to its operational base where the commander ordered a recovery effort. The team returned to the landing zone (which was located near the border of Cambodia in Attopeu Province, Laos), but could not find SSGT Scurlock. The team did see a body some distance away and tried to get into that area, but were driven off by hostile fire. The following day, the area was aerially searched, but no body could be found. [Taken from pownetwork.org]

You were always there for me. To protect me on the school bus. Always had time for me no matter what you were doing.
You even sent me a flower you picked for me on my 16th birthday when you were serving in Germany.
You have no idea how much I miss you. On this day 46 years ago everything changed.
I miss you and love you.